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<J 


CONFESSION 

^^^  -  O    F 

FAIT        H, 

?UT     FORTH     BY    THE 

ELDERS     AND     BRETHREN 

OF         MANY. 

CONGREGATIONS 
e     1#"R     I     S     T     I     A.    N     S, 

(Baptized  upon^ProreiTion  of  their  Faith) 
In    LON.pON     and    the    COUNTRY. 

Adopted    by    the    BAPTi.n^     Association    met    at 
Philadelphia,  Sept.  25,  1742. 

T^E     SEVENTHEDITION. 

To  which  arc  added, 

Two  Articles  viz.    Of  Impofition  of  Hands,    and 
Singing  of  Pfalnis  in  public  Worfhip. 

ALSO, 

A  fhort  Treatife  of  Church  Difcipline, 

With  the  Heart  Man  believeth  ur.to  Ri^hteoujnefs,  and  -with  the  Month 

Confejfion  is  made  unto  Salvation,  Rom,  lo.  »o. 
Search  the  ScripturtSy  John  5.  39. 


PHILADELP   HI   A: 
Printed  by  J  o  h  n  D  u  n  l  a  ?,   at  the   newest 

P&INTING-OfFICE,    in    MA*KET-STftE5T. 

M,DCC,LXXIH. 


/  ii  tiic  M ini it eio  r.rui  MelTcnger?  of,  and  concern- 
ed for,  upwards  of  one  fjundred  baptized  Con- 
gregations in  England  and  JVal?s  (denying  .^rmhticinifm) 
being  met  together  in  London  from  the  Uiird  of  the  Se- 
venth Month,  to  the  eleventh  of  the  fame  1689.  to  con- 
iider  of  fome  things  that  might  be  for  the  Glory  oi  God, 
and  the  good  of  thefe  Congregations;  have  thongirt 
meet  (for  the  Satlsfadllon  of  all  other  Chriftians  that 
differ  from  us  in  the  Point  of  Biiptifm)  to  recommend 
to  their  perufal  the  Conleffon  of  our  Faith;  Printed 
for,  and  fold  by  John  Mar/hall,  \t  X.h^  Bible  m  Grace- 
Church  Street.  Which  Confeflion  we  own,  as  containing 
the  Do(5lrine  of  our  Faith  and  Practice;  and  do  defire 
that  the  Members  of  onr  Churches  refpectively  do  fur- 
Jiifh  themfelves  therewith. 


}{mf^,rd  Kmllys, 

Da?:hirif!ch. 

William  Kiffin. 

Jchn  ^ail. 

John  Harris. 

Edmond  JVhite. 

ll/illiam  Cell  int. 

IVilliam  Prickard. 

Hercules  Collins. 

Paul  Fruin, 

■Robert  Steed. 

Richard  Ring, 

Leonard  Bar ri fen. 

John  To7nkin:. 

George  Barret. 

Toby  Willes. 

Jfaac  La?}:h. 

John  Carter. 

Richard  Adams. 

James  Web. 

Ben].  Keach. 

Rishard  Sutton. 

A'fidre^M  Gijford, 

Robert  Knight. 

Thomas  Vaux, 

Ed^vard  Price. . 

The.  Winnel. 

JVilliam  Phips. 

Jawe:  Bitt. 

William  Hankinu 

Richard  Tid^narJJ?, 

Samuel  Eiver. 

IViil'iatJi  Facey . 

Edward  Man.* 

Samuel  Buttal. 

Charles  ^"I re  her. 

Chrippher  Price. 

In  the  Name  and  Behalf  of  the  whole  AflemWy. 


4  ?^#?(  ?»-^.  r'M'^  4*^  K^^  f- 

4  «:«»:«   S"^  k.Kj^  S*-o4  ic«^:^  <|^ 


I* 


To  the  Judicious  and  Impartial 

READER. 


Courteous  Reader, 

S?i  ???^  '^  ^^  '^^^  many  Years  fince  divers  of  us 
isfc^^itii  (with  other  fober  Chriftlans  then  living, 
^  I  ^  and  walking  in  the  way  of  the  Lord,  thac 
^J?  5Ci)?  ^^^  profefs)  did  conceive  ourfelves  to  bie 
L^^'^L^^  under  a  neceffity  of  Publiihing  a  Confcfjion 
of  our  ¥ahh,  for  the  information  and  fa- 
tisfa<flIon  of  thofe,  that  did  not  thoroughly  underftar.J 
what  our  Principles  were,  or  had  entertained  Prejudices 
againft  our  Profefiion,  by  reafon  of  the  ftrange  repre- 
fentation  of  thena,  by  fome  Men  of  Note,  who  had  tak- 
en very  wrong  Meafures,  and  accordingly  led  others  in- 
to MIfappreheufions  of  us,  and  them  :  And  this  was  firft 
put  forth  about  the  Year  1643.  in  the  Name  of  Severn 
Congregations  then  gathered  in  London  ;  fince  which, 
time,  divers  ImprelTioriS  thereof  have  been  difperfed  a- 
brcad,  and  our  end  propofed,  in  good  meafure  anfwer- 
ed,  inafmuch  as  many  (and  fome  of  thofe  Men  eminent 
both  for  Piety  and  Learning)  were  thereby  fatisfied, 
that  we  were  no  way  guilty  of  thofe  Heterodoxies  and 
fundamental  Errors,  which  had  too  frequently  beca 
charged  upon  us  without  ground,  or  occafion  given  on 
our  Part.  And  forafmuch,  as  that  Confefllon  is  aot 
now  commonly  to  be  had,  and  alfo  that  many  other!5 
have  fince  embraced  the  fame  Truth  which  is  owned 
herein,  it  was  judged  neceffary  by  us  to  join  together 
A  2  in 


IV  To  the     READER. 

in  giving  a  Teftimony  to  the  World,  of  our  firm  adher- 
ing to  thofe  wholfome  Principles,  by  the  Publication  of 
this  which  is  now  in  your  Hand. 

And  forafmuch  as  our  method  and  manner  of  ex})rer- 
fing  our  Sentiments,  in  this,  doth  vary  from  the  former 
(although  the  fubftance  of  this  Matter  is  the  fame)  we 
fnall  freely  impart  to  you  the  Reafon  and  Occafion  there- 
of. One  thing  that  greatly  prevailed  with  us  to  under- 
take this  Work  was  (not  only  to  give  a  full  account  of 
ourfelves  to  thofe  Chriftians  that  differ  from  us  about 
the  Subject  of  Baptifm,  but  alfo)  the  Profit  that  might 
from  thence  arife,  unto  thofe  that  have  any  account  of 
our  Labours,  in  their  Inftru<5tion  and  Efiabliflmient  in 
the  great  Truths  of  the  Gofpel ;  in  the  clear  under- 
ilanding,  and  ftcady  belief  of  which  our  comfortable 
walking  with  God,  and  fruitfulnefs  before  him,  in  all 
our  ways,  is  moft  nearly  concerned  ;  and  therefore  we 
did  conclude  it  neceiTary  to  exprefs  ourfelves  the  more 
fully  and  diftin(5tly  ;  and  alfo  to  fix  on  fuch  a  Method 
as  might  be  moft  comprehenfive  of  thofe  things  we  de- 
iigned  to  explain  our  fen fe  and  belief  of ;  and  finding  no 
defedl  in  this  regard,  in  that  fixed  on  by  the  Aflembly, 
and  after  them,  by  thofe  of  the  Congregational  way, 
we  did  readily  conclude  it  beft  to  retain  the  fame  Ordsr 
in  our  prefent  Confeflion  ;  and  alfo  when  we  obferved, 
that  thofe  laft  mentioned,  didintheir  Confeflions  (for 
Reafons  which  feemed  of  v/eight  both  to  themfelves  and 
others)  chufe  not  only  to  exprefs  their  Mind  in  Words 
concurrent  with  the  former  in  Senfe,  concerning  all 
rhoie  Articles  wherein  they  were  agreed,  but  alfo  for  the 
niofi:  part,  without  any  variation  cf  the  Terms  we  did 
in  like  manDer  conclude  it  beft  to  follow  their  Example, 
in  making  ufe  of  the  very  fame  Words  with  them  both, 
■in  thefe  Articles  (which  are  very  many)  wherein  oUr 
Faith  and  Doclrlne  is  the  fame  with  theirs,  and  this  we 
did,  the  more  abundantly,  to  manifeft  our  confent  with 
both,  in  all  the  fundamental  Articles  of  the  ChriPiian 
Religion,  as  alfo  with  many  others,  whofe  Orthodox 
Confeflions  have  been  Publiftied  to  the  World,  on  the 
behalf  of  \.]\^  ProieftiViti  in  divers  Nations  and   Cities: 

And 


To  the    R  E  A  D  E  R,  v 

And  alfo  to  convince  all,  that  we  have  no  itch  to  clojr 
Rdighn  with  new  Words,  but  do  readily  acquiefce  in 
that  form  of  found  Words,  which  hath  been  in  confent 
with  the  Holy  Scriptures,  ufed  by  others  before  us  ;  here- 
by declaring  hdoxzGtd,-  Angels,  and  Men,  our  hearty 
agreement  with  them,  in  that  wholefome  Proteftant  Doc- 
trine, which  with  fo  clear  evidence  of  Scriptures  they 
have  afferted  :  Some  things  indeed,  are  in  fomc  places 
added,  fome  Terms  omitted,  and  fome  few  changed  ; 
but  thefe  Alterations  are  of  that  Nature,  as  that  we  need 
not  doubt,  any  charge  or  fafpicion  of  unfoundnefs  in 
in  the  Faith,  from  any  of  our  Bretheren  upon  the  ac- 
count of  them. 

In  thofe  things  wherein  we  differ  from  others,  wc 
have  expreft  ourfelves  with  all  candor  and  plainnefs, 
that  none  might  entertain  jealoufy  ot  ought  fecrelly 
lodged  in  our  Breafts,  that  we  would  not  the  World 
fhouid  be  acquainted  with  ;  yet  we  hope  we  have  alfo 
obferved  thofe  Rules  of  modefty  and  humility,  as  will 
render  our  freedom  in  this  refpe(5t  inoffcufive,.  even  to^ 
thofe  whofe  Sentiments  are  different  from  ours. 

We  have  alfo  taken  care  to  affix  Texts  of  Scpipture 
at  the  bottom,  for  the  confirmation  of  each  Article  in 
our  ConfcJJi-jn  ;  in  which  IVork  we  have  fxudioufly  endea- 
voured to  felefl  fuch  as  are  moft  clear  and  per.inent,  for 
the  proof  of  what  is  aiTerted  by  us :  And  our  earneft  de- 
fn-e  is,  that  all  into  whofe  Hands  this  may  come,  wou'd 
follow  that  (never  enough  commanded)  Example  of  tb-f- 
noble  Bireans,  who  fearched  the  Scriptures  daily  th-.: 
they  might  find  out  whether  the  things  preached  ?  ^ 
them  were  fo  or  not. 

There  is  one  thing  more  which  we  fmcereiy  profefl-, 
and  earneftly  defire  credence  in,  viz.  That  Coatent^'c  ■ 
is  moil:  remote  from  our  defign  in  all  that  we  have  dor. -i^ 
in  this  matter:  And  we  hope,  the  Liberty  of  an  inge- 
nuous unfolding  our  Principles,  and  opening  our  Hearts 
unto  our  Brethren,  v/ith  the  Scripture-grounds  on 
which  our  Faith  and  Prailice  will  by  none  of  them  be 
cither  denied  tons,  or  taken  ill  from  us.  Our  who.'e 
defign  is  accomplifhed  if  we  may  obtain  that  Juftics,  p.z 
A  ^  'to. 


^i  To  the    READER. 

to  be  meafured  in  our  Principles  and  Pra(5lice,  and  tlie 
judgment  of  both  by  others,  according  to  what  we  have 
fionv  Publifhed  ;  which  the  Lord  (nvh/e  Eyes  are  as  aflame 
of  Fire )  hioiveth  to  be  the  Do^Irhw,  which  with  our  Hearts 
•we  moft  firmly  believe,  and  fincereiy  endeavour  to  con- 
form our  Lives  to.  And  oh  that  other  Contentions  be- 
ing laid  alleep,  the  only  Care  and  Contention  of  all,  upon 
nvhom  the  Name  of  our  hlejfed  Redeemer  is  called,  might 
for  the  future  be,  to  walk  humbly  with  their  God,  in 
the  Exercife  of  all  Love  and  Meehufs  cowards  each  other 
to  perfe<5t  Hollnefs  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  each  one  en- 
deavouring to  have  his  Converfation  fuch  as  becometh 
the  Gojpel ;  and  alfo  fuitable  to  his  place  and  capacity, 
vigorouily  to  promote  in  others  the  Pra(f^icc  of  true  Re- 
ligion, and  undefiled  in  the  fight  of  God  our  Father. 
And  that  in  this  back-fiidi'ng  Day,  we  might  not  fpend 
our  Breath  in  fruitlefs  complaints  of  the  Evils  of  others, 
but  may  every  one  begin  at  home,  to  reform  in  the  hrft 
place  our  own  Hearts  and  Ways,  and  then  to  quicken 
all,  that  we  may  have  Iniuence  upon,  to  the  fame  IVork; 
that  if  the  Will  of  God  were  fo,  none  might  deceive 
themfelves  by  refting  in,  and  trufting  to  a  form  of  God- 
Jinefs,  without  the  Pom^er  of  it,  and  inward  experience 
of  the  efficacy  of  thofe  Truths  that  are  profe/Ted  by 
them. 

And  verily  there  ts  one  fpring  and  canfe  of  the  decay 
of  Religion  in  our  Day,  which  we  cannot  but  touch  up- 
on, and  earneftly  urge  a  redrefs  of,  and  that  is  the  ne» 
gled  of  the  Worfhip  of  God  in  Families,  by  thofe  to 
'.vhom  the  charge  and  conduct  of  them  is  committed. 
May  not  the  grofs  Ignorance  and  Inftability  of  many, 
with  the  Profanenefs  of  others,  be  juftly  charged  upon 
their  Parents  and  Mafters  who  have  not  trained  them  up 
in  the  Way  w'herein  they  ought  to  walk  when  they  M'crc 
young  ?  But  have  neglected  thofe  frequent  and  folemn 
Commands  which  the  Lord  hath  laid  upon  them  fo  to 
catechize  and  inftruct  them,  that  their  tender  Years 
mi^ht  be  feafoned  with  the  Kno^j:lfdge  of  the  Truth  of 
God,  as  revealed  in  the  Scriptures  ;  and  alfo  by  their 
own  oraiffion  of  Prayer,   and  other  Duties  of  Rcligicjt 


To  the    R  E  A  D  E  R.  vll 

of  their  Families,  together  with  the  ill  example  of  their 
loofe  Converfation,  have  inured  them  firil  to  a  ncglecl, 
and  then  contempt  of  all  Piety  and  Religion  ;  we  know 
this  will  not  excufe  the  Bl'mdnefi  -axid.  Wkkednefs  of  any  ; 
but  certainly  it  nvill  flill  heavy  upon  thofe  that  have  been 
thus  the  ocGafion  thereof;  they  indeed  die  in  their  Sins, 
but  will  not  their  Blood  be  required  of  thofe  under  whofe 
Care  they  were,  who  yet  permitted  them  to  go  on  with- 
out IVarn'mg,  yea,  led  them  into  the  Paths  of  Deftru^ti- 
6n  ?  and  will  not  the  diligence  of  Chriftians,  aL*/V/6  refpe^l 
to  the  difcharge  of  thefe  Duties,  in  Ages  paft,  rife  up 
in  judgment  againft,  and  condcma  many  of  thofe  who 
would  be  eftecmcd  fuch  now. 

We  Jhall  conclude  luith  our  earneft  Prayer y  That  the  God 
of  all  Grace y  mnll  f^ir  out  thofe  meafures  of  hh  holy  Spirit 
upon  «/,  that  Mg- ProfefQon  of  Truth  vizy  he  acco77ipanied  ivith 
the  found  Belief  and  diligent  pra^ice  of  it  by  us,  that  hit 
name  viay  in  all  things  be glorifed,  through  Jcfus  Chriji  our 
Lr>rd.     Amen, 


f''//Ar/-^^[^.^'--K 


€^^e^^^ 


^^r^?^^ 


'^N 


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?^     ?KX^       ^Xt?i?       <S>XO       JS^X^       )K>)C^     <5 
<•>•  X/S-X       X^X       Xi*-X       X>^X       XiiC^X     o 

0    yax^     ^'-^<^     oxo     5^X3^     K(x>K   J) 
S<xxxxxxxxxxxx^xxxxxxxxxxxxx 

A 

CONFESSION 

O    F 

F  A  I  T  H. 

CHAP.      I. 
Of  the    Holy    Scriptures. 

FS5CeC"5«i  H  -E   Holy  Scripture  is  the  oniy  fufficient,    * 
)e(    ^  )§(  certain,    and    infallible    {a)   Rule   of    all 

)^  3^  Saving   Knowledge,    Faith,    and    Obedi- 

k.)SC^J^  ence^altho'  the  [b)  light  of  Nature,  anl     1 
the  works  of  Creation  and  Providence  do  fo  far  ma- 
nifeft   the   Goodnefs,  Wifdom,  and  Power  of  God, 
as  to  leave  Men  unexcufable  ;  yet  are  they  not  fuf- 
ficient  to  give  that  Knowledge  of  God  and  his  Will, 
which  is   necefTary  unto  Salvation,     (c)  Therefore  it 
pleafed  the  Lord  at  fundry  times,  and  in  divexs  man-    . 
ners,  to  reveal  himfelf,  and  to  declare  That  his  Will    -]/ 
unto   his   Church  ;  and  afterward  for  the  better  pre- 
fer ving  and   propagating  of  the   Truth,  and  for  th( 
more  fure  Eftablifhment,  and  Comfort  of  t!ie  Church 
againft  the  corruption  of  the  Flefh,  and  the  malice 
of 

r<?;  X  Tim.  3.  15,  i5,  17.  Ifa.  8.  zo.  Luke  i6.  19,  31.  Eph.a. 
io.  fbj  Rom.  I.  ip,  io,  ai,  &c.  ch.  a.  14,  xj.  Pfaim  ip.  i,x,5. 
fcj  Heb.  I,  I, 


2  Of  the  Holy  S>cripturcj. 

^    ot  Satan,  and  of  the  World,  to  commit  the   flime 

-y  wholly   unto   (i)  Writing  ;   which  maketh  the  {♦oly 

Scriptures  to  be  moft  necefi'ary,  thofe  former  ways  of 

God's  revealing  his  Will  unto  his  People  being  now 

ceaied. 

/* (i'   Under  the  Name  of  Holy  Scripture,    or   the 

f   Word   of  God   written,    are   now  contained  all    the 

Books  of  the  Old  and  New  Tertament,    which  are 

thcfe ; 

Of  the  Old  Testament. 

Genefis^  Exodus^  Leviticus,  Ninnbers^  Deuteronomy^ 
Jojhuay  Judges^  Ruth^  I  Samuel^  2  Samuel^  I  Kings, 
2  Kings,  I  ChronideSy  2  Chronicles,  Ezra,  Nehemiah, 
Ejlher,  Job,  Pfalms,  Proverbs,  Ecclefiajies,  The  Song 
cf  Songs^  Ifaiahy  Jeremiah,  Lamentations,  E%ehiely 
Daniel,  Hotea,  Joel,  Amos,  Obadiah,  ^onah,  M'lcah, 
Nahitm,  Hahakkuk,  Zephaniah,  Haggai,  7uachariahy 
Malachi. 

Gf  the  "Sew  T e s t a m e n t. 

Matthew,  Mark,  Luke,  John, .  The  ASls  of  the  J- 
pofles,  Paul's  Eptfile  to  the  Romans,  Corinthians, 
2  Corinthians^  Galatians,  Ephefans,  Philippians,  Co- 
lojfians,,  I  Thejfalonians,  2  TheJ}alonicns,  I  Timothy, 
2  Timothy,  to  Titus,  to  Philemon,  the  EpjjVe  to  the  He- 
Irews,  the  Epifllc  of  James,  the  firji  and  fecond  Epi files 
of  Peter,  the  firj}  fecond  and  third  Epi  fries  of  John,  the 
Epi  file  ofjicds,  tie  Revelation.   lyAli  which  are  given 

^bv^the  (/)   Inlpiration  of  GodA  to   be  the  Rule  of 

^    jb'aithlind  Liie.         '  -  -    *" 

3.   The  Books  commonly  called   Apocrypha,    not 

4     being  of  [f)   Divine  Inlpiration,  are  no  part  of  the 

T  ^  Canon 

(dj  r.ov,  XX  IP,  xo,  zi.  Rom.  15.  4-  1  i^et.  i.  10,  zo.  (e)  x 
Tim.  3.  16,  (  f )  Luke  14,  iu  44.  Roni.  3.  5. 


Qf  the  Holy  ScripluriS.  3 

Canon  (or  Rule)  of  the  Scripture,  and  therefore  are 
of  no  Authority  to  the  Church  of  God,  nor  to  be  any 
otherwife  approved,  or  made  ufe  of  th;4n  other  Hu- 
njan  Writings. 

'  4lThe  Authority  of  the  Holy  Scrjpturc,  for 
which  it  ought  to  be  believed,  dependeth  not  upon 
the  teftimony  of  any  Man,  or  Church,  but  wholly 
upon  (g)  God,  (vi'ho  is  Truth  itfelfj  the  Author 
thereof  J  therefore  it  is  to  be  received,  becaufe  it  is 
the  Word  of. God. 

5.  We  may  be  moved  and  induced  by  the  teflimo- 
ny  of  the  Church  of  God,  to  an  high  and  reverent 
Efteem  of  the  Ploly  Scriptures  ;  and  the  heavenlinefs 
of  the  Matter,  the  efficacy  of  the  Do6trine,  and  the 
majefty  of  the  Stile,  the  confent  of  all  the  Parts,  the 
fcope  of  the  Whole,  (which  is  to  give  all  Glory  to 
God)  the  full  difcovery  it  makes  of  the  only  Wav  of 
Man's  Salvation,  and  many  other  incomparable  Ex- 
cellencies, and  inCire  Perfeci:ions  thereof,  are  Argu- 
ments whereby  it  doth  abundantly  evidence  it  felf  to 
be  the  Word  of  God  ;  yet  notvvithftanding,  our  [h^ 
full  perfuafion,  and  affurance  of  the  infjillible  Truth, 
and  Divine  Authority  thereof,  is  froni  the  inward 
work  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  bearing  witnefs  h^^  and  v/ith 
the  Word  in  our  Hearis.  .^ — -^ z 

6.  The  whole  Counfel  of  God  concerning  alf 
things  (/)  neceffary  for  his  own  Glory,  Man's  Sal- 
vation, Faith  and  Life,  is  either  expreily  fet  down, 
©r  necefiarily  contained  in  the  Holy  Scripture  ;  unto 
which  nothing  at  any  time  is  to  be  added,  whether 
by  new  Revelation  of  the  Spirit,  or  Traditions  of 
Men. 

Neverthelefs  we  acknowledge  the  (/')  inward  II !u- 
ir.ination  of  the  Spirit  of  God,  to  be  neceiTary  {ox  the 

fiving 

('?)  I  Pet.  I.  rp,  10,  XI.  X  Tim.  3.  16,  2.1.  ThefT  x.  13.  i  John 
S.  9.  C^J  John  i5.  13,  14,  I  Cor.  z.  la,  11,  i»  i  John  i.  i, 
»o,  ST.     ftj  X  Tim.  3.  IS,  16,  17.    Gxi,  i,  8,  ?.    C^J   Mu  6. 

41.  I  Cor.  i.  9,   10,   I  r,   IX. 


4  Of  the  Holy  Scriptures. 

favlng  underflanding  of  fuch  things  as  are  revealed  in 
the  Word,  and  ihui  there  are  fome  Circumftances 
concerning  the  Worfliip  of  God,  and  Government 
of  the  Church,  common  to  humar*  Aclioiis^aud  Sot 
cieties  ;  which  are  to  be  (/)  ordered  by/heXight  of^ 
Nature,  "an^Chriftian    Prudence,    according  to  the 

'.    General  Rules  of  the  Word,  which  are  always  to  be 

•   cbferved. 

/^  7«  AH  things  in  Scripture  are  not  alike  {tn)  plain 
in  themfelves,  nor  alike  clear  unto  all;  yet  thofe 
things  which  are  necefiary  to  be  known,  believed, 
and  obferved  for  Salvation,  are  fo  [n)  clearly  pro- 
pounded, and  opened  in  fome  place  of  Scripture  or 
other,  that  not  only  the  learned,  but  the  unlearned, 
in  a  due  ufe  of  ordinary  Means,  may  attain  to  a  fuf- 

.^  ficient  underftanding  of  them. 

'»  8.  The  Old  Teftament  in  {e)  Hebrew^  (which 
was  the  Native  Languao;e  of  the  People  of  God  of 
old),  and  the  New  Teftament  in  Greeks  which  (at 
the  time  of  writing  it)  was  moft  generally  known  to 
the  Nations,  being  immediately  infpired  by  God, 
and  by  his  fingular  Care  and  Providence  kept  p«re  in 
all  Ages,    are  therefore  [p)  authentical ;  fo  as  in  all 

"  Controverfies  of  Religion,  the  Church  is  finally  to 
appeal  unto  them  [q).  But  becaufe  thefe  original 
Tongues  are  not  known  to  all  the  People  of  God, 
who  have  a  right  unto,  and  intereft  in  the  Scriptures, 

h  and  are  commanded  in  the  fear  of  God  to  read  (r) 
and  fearch  them,  therefore  they  are  to  be  tranllated 
into  the  vulgar  Language  of  every  Nation,  unto 
which  rhey  (/)  come,  that  the  Word  of  God  dwells 
ing  (0  plentifully  in  all,  they  may  worfhip  him  in  an 
acceptable  manner,  and  through  patience  and  com- 
fort of  the  Scriptures  may  hope. 

9.  The 

(I)  I  Cor.  II.  13,  14,  &  Ch.  14.  x<5,  &  40.  {in)  x  Pet.  3.  16. 
(«)  Pfalm  19.  7.  &  irp.  130.  {0)  Rom.  3.  z.  (/>)  Ifi.  8.  i®.  {q) 
Aas  IS  ij.  (r)  Johns.  39.  (/)  i  Cor.  14.  6,9, 11,  ii,  Z4,'?^ 
(r)  Col.  3,  16, 


Of  the  Holy  SLiipturds.  ^  ^. 

q.  The  rnfallible  Rule  of  Interpretation  of  Scrip- 
ture («)  is  tiie  Scripture  itfelf :  And  therefore  when 
there  is  a  quellion  about  the  true  and  full  fenfeof  any 
Scripture,  (which  is  not  manifold  but  one)  it  muft 
be  fearched  by  other  Places,  that  fpeak  more  clearly. 

10.  The  fupream  Judge  by  which  all  Controverfies 
of  Religion  are  to  be  determined,  and  all  Decrees  of 
Councils,  Opinions  of  antient  Writers,  DcClrines 
of  Men,  and  private  Spirits,  are  to  be  exan^ined,  and 
in  whofe  Sentence  we  are  to  reft,  can  be  no  other  but 
the  Holy  Scripture  delivered  bv  the  Spirit,  into  which 
(x)  Scripture  fo  delivered,  our  Faith  is  finally  re- 
folved. 

CHAP.      n. 

Of  G  oD  andofihs  Holy  Trinity, 


jtimfelf ;    (^)  a  moft  pure  Spirit,   f^)  invifible,^^\vrtiv 
,^out  Body,  Parts,  or  Paffions,{^[oonTyT7at!i  Immor-  ^ 
/tality,    dwelling  in  the   Light,    which  no  Man  can  » 
•approach  unto,  who  is  (/)  immutable,  [g)  immenfe,    's 
{h)   eternal,    incomprehenfible,  (/')  almighty,   every 
J^ay   infinite,  {k)  moft  holy,  moft  wife,"  moft  free, 
^oft  abfolute,  (/)  working  all  Things  according  to 
the  Counfel  of  his  own  immutable  and  moft  righteous    I 
B  Will^ 


(«;  X  Pet.  T.  3.0,  XI.  Aas  15.  15,  i<J.  {x)  Mat   %x.  ao,  xx,  Eplw 
a  xo    Afts  i8.  X5.     {a)  i  Cor.  8.  46.   Deut   ^.  4.     (^)'jer.  lo.  10. 
ifa  48.  I x.     (c)  £xod.  3.  J4.      {d)  John  4.  14.     {c)  1  Tim  i.  sj^) 
Deut   4.  15,  r6.     if)  Mai.  3.  6.     (j)  ,  Kings  8.  Z7.  Jer.  z,.  4!' 
(h  Pfaim  90.  X.  (0  Gen.  17.  i.     (i)  Jfa.  (5.  3,-    (/)  rfalmu5.3- 


\ 


/- 


6  0f  God  and  of  the  Holy  Trinity, 

».  Will,  [til)  for  his  own  Giorvprncft  loving,  gracious, 
^t  merciful,  long  luffering,  i*Dunclant  in  good ncfs  and 
^  truth,  forgiving  Iniquity,  IVanfgrt ITion  and  Sin,(w) 
VI  the  rewarder  of  them  that  diligently  feek  him,  snd 
'f  withal  moli:  jufl,  ((?)  and  terrible  in  his  Judgm.ents, 
f     (/))  h?ting  all  fin,  and  will  by   no   mesns  clear  the 

\,  2.  God    having  all  (r)  Life,   (j)  glory,   (/)  good- 

i  rsefs,  bleflednefs,  in  and  of  himfelf,  is  alone  in,  a_nd 
and  unto  himfelf  all-fufficient,  not  (z/)  {landing  in 
need  of  any  Creature  which  he  hath  made,  nor  de- 
riving any  Glory  from  them,  but  only  manifefting 
his  own  Glory  in,  by,  unto,  and  upon  them,  he  is 
the  alone  Fountain  of  all  Being,  (at)  of  whom, 
through  whom  and  to  whom  are  all  things,  and  he 
hath  moft  fovereign  (y)  Dominion  over  all  Creatures, 
to  do  by  them,  for  them,  or  upon  them,  whatfoever 
himfelf  pleafeth  ;  in  his  fight  \%)  all  things  are  open 
and  manifell,  his  knowledge  is  (a)  infinite,  infallible, 
and  independant  upon  the  Creature,  fo  as  nothing  is 
iO  him  contingent  or  uncertain  ;  he  is  moO:  holy  in 
t^Il  his  Counfeh;  in  {b)  all  his  Works,  and  in  all  his 
Commands  ;  to  him  is  due  {c)  from  Argels  and  Men, 

•  v/hatfoever    Worftiip,    Service,     or    Obedience,    as 
'  Creatures  they  owe  unto  the  Creator,  and  whatever 

he  is  further  pleafed  to  require  of  them. 

3.  In  this  Piviue  and  Infinite  Being  there  are  three| 
.:-fubfifl:cnces,   {d)    the  Father,    the  Word,  (or   Son)   I 

*  and  Holy  Spirit,  of  one  Subftance,  Power  and  Eter- / 
»    nity,  each  having  the  whole  Divine  Eflence,   (e)  yetr 

\    the  E (fence  undivided,  the  Father  is  of  none  neither  ^ 
*    begotten,  nor  proceeding,  the  Son  is  {f)  eternally  be-.^ 

gotten 

(??/)  Prov.  16.4.  kom.  ti.  56.  («)  Emod.  34.  <?,  7-  Heb  11.6, 
(fi)  Neh.  9.  3i,  33.  \p)  P/alm.  5.  S,  <>.  {q)  Exod.  34-  7-  Nahum  t. 
^>  3-  (r)  Jobn  s-  i5-  (0  P^alm  14B.  i  3.  (0  Pfalm  1 19.  68  {u) 
Tob  zx.  z,  3.  (a)  Rom.  11.  34,  35,  ?6.  (  v)  Dan.  4.  %%  &  v.34,  3^. 
(z)  Heh.  4.  13  (^)  Ezek.  11  s-  Afts  15.  f  8.  (/>)  Pfalm  145-  17. 
.(vO  Rev.  5.  li,  f  3,  14.  (^)  I  John  j.  7.  Matt.  z8.  19-  x  Cor.  13. 
14.  W  Exod.  3,  14.  jK)hn  14-  ii«  i  Cor.  8.  (5,  (/)  Joha  x,  Ji4i  18. 


0}  God  ayui  of  the  JhJy  7;/V-;Vr ,  / 

^gotten  of  the  Fathets  the  Holy  Spirjt  is)  Pj;££5^^? 
from  the  Father  and  the  Son/aTi  infinite,  wichol 
ginning,  therefore  but  one  (rod,  who  is  not  to  be  di- 
vided in  Nature  and  Heing,  but  diftinguillied  by  feve- 
ral  peculiar,  relative  Properties,  and  pcrfonal  Rela- 
tions ;  which  Dochineot  the  Trinity  is  the  Foundati- 
on of  all  our  Communion  with  Qmo.^  and  comfortable^ 
dependance  on  him.  ^ 

CHAP       HI. 

QT  G  o  d's    Decree. 

I./^  OD  hath  (^(7^  decreed  \n  himfelf,  from  all 
\Jf  Eternity,  by  the  moft  wife  and  holy  Coun- 
fel  of  his  own  Will,  freely  and  unchangeably,  all 
things  whatfoever  comes  to  pafs  ;  yet  fo  as  thereby  is  i 
God  neither  the  Author  of  Sin,  (h)  nor  hath  fellow-  '' 
ihip  with  any  therein,  nor  is  violence  oftered  to  the 
Will  ot  the  Creature,  nor  yet  is  the  liberty,  or  con- 
tingency of  fecond  Caufes  taken  away,  but  rather 
{"t)  edablifhed,  in  which  appears  his  VVifdom  in  dif- 
poiuig  all  things,  and  Power,  and  Faithfulnefs  (d) 
in  accomplifliing  his  Decree. 

2.     Although   God  knoweth  whatfoever  may,  or 
can  come  to  pafs  upon  all  {e)  fuppofed  Conditions  ;  ,/- 
yet  hath  he  not  decreed ^ny  thing,   \f)  becaufe  he  fore- 
faw  i.t  as  future,  or  as  that  which  would  corne  to  pafs 
upon  fuch  conditions. 

3-  B/ 


(c?)  John  15.  a6.  Gal.  4.  6..{a)m.^6.  10.  Eph.  I.  11.  Heb.  6. 
17.  Horn  9.  15,  r8.  {b)  Jam.  i.  15,  ,7.  j  fohn  i.  ^.  (c)  Ads  4. 
X7,  28.  John  19.  „.  (,/)  hTumb.  23.  19.  Eph.  »,  3,  ^,  5.  (,)  ^^., 
Jj    i8.     0)P'-ni.  p.  II,  13,   ,6,  18. 

B  2 


8  Of  God's  Decree, 

/    3.   By  the  Decree  of  God,  for  the  manifedatiori  of. 
/  his  Glory,   (p-)  faiT^e  Mc^n  and  Al^els  are  predeftinat-"^' 
f     €d,  or  foreordinatcd  to  Eternal  Life,    through  Jefus 
I     Chrift,  to  the  (h)  praife  of  his  glorious  Grace  ;  others 
J    being  lelt  to  a6t  in  their  fin  to  their  (/)  juft  condem- 
1^  jiation,  to  the  praife  of  his  glorious  Juftice. 

4.  Thefe  Angels  and  Men  thus  predeftinated,  and 
fore-ordained,    are   particularly,    and    unchangeably 

fttefigned  ;  and  their  (k)  number  fo  certain,  and  de- 
finite, that  it  cannot  be  either  increafed,  or  diofit- 
11  i  filed.  . 

"5^  Thofe  of  Mankind  (/)  that  are  pre-deftinated  to 
Life,  God,  before  the  Foundation  of  the  World  was 
laid,  according  to  his  eternal  and  immutable  Purpofe, 
and  the  fecret  Counfel  and  good  Pieafurc  of  his  Will, 
hath  chofen  in  Chrift  unto  everlafcing  Glory,  out  of 
his  mter  free  Grace  and  Love  ;  (m)  without  any  other 
thing  in  the  Creature  as  a  condition  or  caufe  moving 
him  thereunto. 

6.  As  God  hath  appointed  the  Eleft  unto  Glory, 
fo  he  hath  by  the  eternal  and  mcfl  free  Purpofe  of  his 
Will,  fore-ordained  (0)  all  the  Means  thereunto, 
wherefore  they  who  are  eleiSled,  being  falTn  in  Adarriy 
{p)  are  redeemed  by  Chrift,  are  effectually  {q}  called 
unto  Faith  in  Chrift,  by  his  Spirit  working  in  due 
feafon,  are  juftified, 'adopted,  fandtified,  and  kept  by 
bis  Power  through  Faith  (r)  unto  Salvation  ;  neither 
are  any  other  redeemed  by  Chrift,  or  effet^ilually  call- 
ed juftified,  adopted,  fancliiied,  and  faved,  but  the 
Elect  (j)  only. 

^  7.  T^'hc  Doarine  of  this  high  Mvftery  of  Pre-def- 
tination,    is  to  be  handled  with  fpeciai  Prudence  and 

Care  1 


U:' 


(a)  I  Tim.  s  II-  Mat.  !;■  41.  (^)  Ep^^-  '•  S,  6.  (/)  Rom.  9. 
2,1,' z 5  Jude4-  (^)  i  Tim.  z.  19-  T"hn  13.  18.  (/)Eph.  I.  4,  9,"- 
Rom.  8.  30.  2  Tim.  i.  9  1  Theil  $.  9.  (m)  Rom.  9.  13-  i<5- 
Eph.  z.  6.  II.  (5)  I  Pet.  I.  1.  z  TiiefT.  z.  13.  (;>)  1  Thefl.  5  9,»o. 
(7)  Rom.  8.  30  X  Their,  i.  13.  (r)  *  Pet.  i,  5.  (0  ]^^^^  »^-  -^* 
John  17.  9'   Jt'lifl  <5.  i4« 


Of  God's  Decree.  9 

Care;  that  Men  attending  the  Will  of  God  revealed 
ill   his    Word,    and   yielding   Obedience   thereunto,       . 
niay,  from  the  certainty  of  their  effectual  Vocation,       J 
be  alTured  of  their  [t )  eternal  Eledion  ;  fo  fhall  this    ~r 
Doctrine  afford  matter  {u)  of  Praife,  Reverence,  and 
Adrr/iration  of  God,  and  (;<•)  of  humility,   diligence, 
and  abundant  [y)  Confolation,   to  all  that  fincerely 
obey  theGofpel.  "^ 

CHAP.      IV. 

'    0/ Creation; 

f.  T  N  the  beginning  it  pleafed  God  the  Father,  {a)-^ 
^  Son,  and  Holy  Spirii,  for  the  manifeftation  of 
the  Glory  of  [b)  his  eternal  Power,  Wifdom,  and 
Goodnefs,  x.o ^create  or  make  the  World,  and  all 
things  therein,  {c)  whether  vifible  or  invifible,  in  the 
fpaceoffix  Days,  and  all  very  good,  ~^ 

2.  After  God  bad  made  all  other  Creatures,   he^ 
created  (d)  Man,  Male  and  Female,  with  [e]  reaibn-    ■ 
able  and  immortal  Souls,  rendring  them  tit  unto  that  I 

tLife  to  God,  for  which  they  wcr 2  created^  bemg  (f)  / 
made  after  the  Image  of  Go'd,tin  Knowledge,  Righ- 
teoufnefs,  and  true  Holinefs-^  havin.,^  the  Lav/ofNf,^ 
God  (o-)  written  in  their  Hearts,  and  Power  to  fulfil 
it ;  and  yet  under  a  pofTibility  of  tranfgreiliug,  beincr 
left  to  the  liberty  of  their  own  Will,.  whicnTwas  (^ 
fu bjed  to  change.  =^ 

B  5  3.  Befidcs 

(f)  I  Theff.  I.  4,  s  z  Pet.  r.  lo.  («)  Eph  i.  6.  Rom.  »i.  35, 
(x)  Rom,  II.  5,  6.  (y)  Luke  10.  xo.  {a)  Joha  i.  i,  s  Heb.  i.  a. 
Job.  i6.  13.  (b)  Rom  I.  io,  (c)  Col.  i.  i5  Gen.  x.  i,  z  (rl)  Gen, 
I.  Z7.  (0  Gen.  z.  7.  (/)  Ecdef.  7.  i3.  Gen.  i.  16.  (<r)  Rom.  2(»- 
JA,  IS-   V})  Gen.  3.  6* 


^ 


lO  Of  Creation, 

3.  Befides  the  Law  written  in  their  Hearts,  they 
received  (/')  a  Command  not  to  eat  of  the  Tree  of 
Knowledge  of  Good  and  Evil  ;  which  whil'ft  they 
kept,  they  were  happy  in  their  Communion  with 
God,  and  had  Dominion  {k)  over  the  Creatures. 


CHAP.       V. 

0/*  Divine    Providence. 

I.  f^  O  D  the  gdod   Creator  of  all  things,  in  hh 
J       vJT  infinite  Power  and  Wifdom,  doth  [a)  up- 
/    hold,  direcSl,  difpofe,  and  govern  all  Creatures,  and 
f     Things,  from  the  greatefteven  to  the  {h)  leaft,  by  ^/> 
f      moft  wife  and  holy  Providence,  to  the  end  for  which 
they  weie  created^  according  unto  his  infallible  Fore- 
knowledge, and    the  free  and  immutable  Counfel  of 
L'       his  {c)   own    Will  j   to  the  praife  of  the  glory  of  his 
VVifdom,    Power,    Juftice,    infinite   Goodnefs    and 
Mercy. 
2.  Although  in  relation  t©  the  fore-knowledge  and 
'   Decree  of  God^  the  firft  Caufe,  all  things  come  topafs 
.{T:  immutably  and  infallibly  ;  fo  that  there  is  not  any 
thing  befalls  any  {e)  by  chance  or  without  his  Prcvi- 
Jf  dence ;   yet  by  the   fame  Pr&vidence  he  ordereth  them 
^/.- to  fall  out  according  to  the  nature  of  fecond  Caufes, 
either  (/)  neceffariiy,  freely,  or  contingently. 

3.  God  in  his  ordinary  Providence  {g)  maketh  ufe 
of  Means  ;  yet  is  free  {/;)  to  work  without,  (/)  above, 
V^  and  {k;  againft  them  at  his  Pleafure. 

4.  The 

(J)  Gen.  6.  17.  &  ch    3.  8,  9,  lo-   C^}  Gen.  z.  i<S,  a8. 
a;  Heb.  i.  3.  John  38.  11.   Ifa.  46.  10,  11.  Pfalm  13.  s»  <5-    CV 
.Vlatthew  10.  z6,  30,  31.   (cj  Eph.  i.  11.  fdj  Afts  i.  X3-  ie)Vvov. 
"J-  33-   CfJ  Gen.  8.  jx.   f.?)  A^s  z?.  3»,44.  Ifa.  SS-  10,  11.  (hj 
ilofea  I.  7,   (ij  Rim.  4.  ip,  io,  11.   C^)  Dan.  3.  21. 


Of  Divine  Providence i  1 1 

4.  The  Almighty  Power,  unfearchable  Wifdom, 
and  infinite   Goodnefs  of  GW,  fo  far  manifeft  them- 
felves  in  his  Providence^  that  his  determinate  Counfel 
(/)  extendeth  itfelf  even  to  the  firft  Fall,  andallother 
finful  Adions  both  of  Angels  and  Men  ;  (and  that 
not  by  a  bare  permiilion)    which  alfo  he  moit  wifely  J^ 
and  powerfully  {m)  boundeth,  and  otherwife   order- 
eth,  and  governeth,  in  a  manifold  difpenfation  to  his  . 
mofl  holy  [n)  Ends  ;  Yet  {o^  as  the  finfulnefs  of  their 
Ads   proceedeth   only  from  the   Creatures,    and  not     ► 
from  God;  v.'ho  being  moft  holy  and  righteous,  nei- 
ther is  nor  can  be,    the  Author  or  (<?)   Approver  of 
Sin. 

5.  The  moft  wife,  righteous,  and  gracious  God^ 
doth  oftentimes,  leave  for  a  feafon  his  own  Children 
to  manifold  Temptations,  and  the  Corruptions  of 
their  own  Heart,  to  chaftife  them  for  their  former  -X 
Sins,  or  to  difcover  unto  them  the  hidden  flrength  of 
Corruption,  and  dcceitfulnefs  of  their  Hearts,  (/») 
that  they  may  be  humbled  ;  and  to  raife  them  to  a 
more  clofe  and  conllant  dependaiice  for  their  fupport 
upon  hi'mfelf,  and  to  make  them  more  watchful 
againft  alLfuturc  occahons  of  Sin,  and  for  other  juft 
and  holy  Ends. 

So  that  whatfoever  befalls  any  of  his  Eled   is  by 
his  appointment,  for  his  Glory,   [q)  and  their  good. 

b.  As  for  thofe  wicked  and  ungodly  Men,  whom 
God   as   a  righteous  Judge,  for  former  Sin  doth  (r)         j 
blind  and  harden  ;  from  them  he  not  only  withhold-  -f  ? 
eth  his  (j)  Grace,  v/hereby  they  might  have  been  en-     '  ^ 
lightened  in  their  underftanding,  and  wrought  upon 
in  their  Hearts  ;  but  fometimes  alfo  withdraweth  [i) 
the  Gifts  which  they  had,  and  expofeth  them  to  fuch 

(k)  Objeds 

(I)  Rom.  II.  31,  33,  34.  z  Sam.  14.  1.  i  Chron.  zi.  i.  {m)  tr 
Kings  19.  i8.  Pfalm  76.  10.  («)  Gen.  50.  xo.  lia.  10.  6,  7,  iz  (0) 
Pfalm  50.  ai,  John  z.  i<J.  (/>)  x  Chron.  31.  zj,  z<5,  31.  z  Sam  14.' 
I.  z  Cor.  iz.  7,  S,  9.  {q)  Rom.  8.  i8.  (r)  Rom.  i.  Z4,  zj,  z8i 
ch.  II.  7,  8.  (5}  Deut.  ip.  4.  (0  ^I^t^t.  I  3.  I*. 


J  ^  Of  Divine  Providence. 

(u)  Obieas  as  their  Corruptions  makes  occafion  of  Sin  j 

^  1  ^u^i  UA  crive^,  them  over  lo  their  own  Jbults, 
/-irS-sff  the' Weld,,  and  the  power  ot  Sa- 
'       n,  wh'^eby  it  comes  to  pafs,  t.at  they  (>)   hardeu 

themfelves,  even  uad^-r  thole  means  which  God  ufeth 

^-^'^ifS^i-or^;..  doth  in  general  reach    ^ 

to  all   Creatures,  fo   after   a   more  fpeaal    manner  ■ 
.   talceth  Care  of  his  {z)   Church,  and  difpofeth  of  all 
■f* things  to  the  good  thereof. 

1121111111SS21*^S11111111212 

CHAP.      VI. 

Of  the    Fall   cf   M  a  n,  0/  S  i  k,    and  cj   the 
PufiiSKMENT  thereof. 

/      A     TTHOUGF    Gcd  created  Man\'pr\z^t, 

S  1r;f  ?;rs  the  Law  or  the.r   C«J.^^^ 
I      £rSiro;.r  P^a'^ed  accord^.  ...  wtfe 
and  h^ly  C.unfel  to  permit,  having  purpofed  to  order 

Vi\"SrrftS-  by  this  Sin,  fell  from  theit  (0 

orisinad  lighteoufnefs  and  communion  with  G.^,  and 

ije^'n  the^,  whereby  Death  came  upon  al^  W.-' 


fite  to      I 
)pro-    j(L 

...     )\ 


Of  the  Fall  of  Man,  of  Sin,  i5'c,  13 

becoming  dead  in  5y«,  and  wholly  defiled,7(^)  in  all 
the  faculties,  and  parts  of  Soul  and  Body.V 

3.  They  being  the  {f)  Root,  and,  by  GocTs  ap- 
pointment^ {landing  in  the  room,  and  ftead  of  all 
Mank^^di  the  guilt  of  the  5^72  was  imputed,  and 
corrupted  Nature  conveyed  to  all  their  Poilerity,  de- 
fcending  from  them  by  ordin*-y  generation,  being 
now  (g)  conceived  in  5m,  and  by  nature  Children 
[h)  of  Wrath,  the  Servants  of  Sin,  the  fubjedts  (/) 
of  Death,  and  all  other  Miferies,  Spiritual,  Tempo- 
ral and  Eternal,  unlefs  the  Lord  Jefus  [k)  fet  them  _ 
free. 

4.  From   this  original  Corruption,    whereby  we 
(/)  utterly  indifpofed,  difabled,  and  made  oppofii 
ail  good,  and  wholly  inclined  to  all  Evil,  do  (w) 
ceed  all  actual  Tranfgreflions, 

5.  This  Corruption  of  Nature,    during  this   Life,'^  ^ 
doth  (n)  remain  in  thofe  that  are  regenerated  ;     And    j 
although  it  be  through  Chriji  pardoned,  and  mortifi-    / 
ed,  yet  both  itfelf,  and  the  firft  Motions  thereof,  are  / 
truly  and  properly  [0)  Sin.  ■--■ 

C     II     A     P,       VII. 

Of  G  o  d's    Covenant. 

I.  r  1^  H  E  diftance  between  God  and  the  Creature 

j[      is  fo  great  that  although  reafonable  Great nres  JL^- 
do  ovve  Obedience  unto  him  as  rheir  Creator,   yet  they    | 
couJd   never   have  attained  the  Reward  of  Life,  but 
by 

{e)  Tit,  I.  15.  Gen.  6  j.  Jcr.  17,  9.  Rom.  5.  10, — 19.  (/)  Rom. 
5.  ri — 19,  I  Cor.  r 5  xt,  11,45,49  {g)  Pfalmjr.  5  Job.  14.  4* 
{lA  Eph  r.  3.  (/)  Ram.  6.  zo.  &  ch  5.  is.  {k)  Heb.  z  14.  i  Thef. 
I.  lo-  (/)  Rom.  8.  7.  Col.  I  zi  {m)  fames  i.  14,  15.  Mat  ij  19. 
{>i)  Rom.  7.  18,  i3.  Ecclef.  7.  lo,  1  John  i.  8.  {0)  Rom.  7. 14,  xs- 
Gal.  5.   17. 


14-  Of  God*s  Covenant. 

by  rome\(^)  voluntar)^  condefcenfion  on  GoiCspart., 
which  he^faath  been  pleai'ed  to  exprefs,  by  way  of 
Cevenant. 

2.  Moreover,  Adan  having  brought  himfelf  ih) 
under  the  curje  of  the  Law  b/  his  fall,  it  pleaTcd  the 
Lord  to  make  a  Cove?iant  of  Gr^(:f,^hereir\  he  freely 
offereth  unto  SinmrsVc)  Life  and  Salvation  by  Jefus 
ChriJ}^  requiring  of^tnem  Faith  in  him,  that  ihey 
may  be  faved  ;  and  (<^)  proniifing  to  give  unto  ail 
thofe  that  are  ordained  unto  eternal  Life.,  his  holy 
Spirit^  to  make  them  willing,  and  able  to  believe. 

3.  This  Covenant  is  revealed  in  the  Gofpel  firft  of 
z\\  to  Adam  in  the  promife  of  Salvation  by  the  [e) 
Seed  of  the  Woman,  and  afterwards  by  farther  fteps, 
until  the  full  (f)  difcovery  thereof  was  compleated 
in  the  New  Teifcament ;  and  it  is  founded  in  that(*) 
Eternal  Covenant  tranfaction,  that  was  between  the 
Father  and  the  Sm  about  the  Re(dempiion  of  the  E- 
lt£f ;  and  it  is  alone  by  the  Grace  of  this  Covgnant^ 
that  all  of  the  Pofterity  of  fallen  Jdam^  that  ever 
were  (g)  faved,  did  obtain  Life  and  bleffed  Immorta- 
lity ;  Alan  being  now  utterly  uncapable  of  accept- 
ance with  God  upon  thofe  terms  on  which  Jdam  ftood 
in  his  Hate  of  Innocency, 

CHAP.       VIIL 

0/  C  H  R  I  s  T    the    Mediator. 


/? 


( 


■I 


T  pieafed  God,  in  his  eternal  purpofe,  tochufe 
and   ordain  the  Lord  Jefus^  his  only  begotten 

So  fly 


(a)  Luke  17  10.  Jnio  3?.  7,8.  (i)  Gen.  z.  17-  Gal.  3.  10.  Row. 
3.  io,  11  (r)  Rom,  8.  3.  Mark  16.  15,  16.  John  3.  16.  (</)  Ezck. 
36  i6,  ij.  [011119.4.4,45.  Pfaliniio.  3.  (e)  Gen.  3.  15.  (/) 
Heb.  T.  I.  (*)  ^  Tim.  t.  9.  Tit.  i.z.  (g)  Heb.  11.  5,  13.  Rom.*. 
I,  z,  iScc.  AO.S  4.  iz.  John  y.  56. 


Of  Ckr'ijl  the  Mediator.  1 5 

5'^«,  according  to  the  Covevant  made  between  them 
both,  [a)  to  be  the  Mediator  between  God  and  Man  ; 
the  [b)  Prophet,  (f)  Prieft  and  {d\  King  j  Head  and 
Saviour  of  his  Church,  the  Heir  of  all  things,  and 
judge  of  the  World  \  unto  whom  he  did  from  all 
eternity  [e)  give  a  People  to  be  his  Seed,  and  to  be  by 
him  in  time  redeemed,  called,  jultified,  fan6tiiiedj^> 
and  glorified.  ~ 

2.  The  ^on  ofGod^  the  fecond  Perfcn  in  the  Holy 
Trinity^  being  very  and  eternal  Gi?<^/,  the  brightnefs 
of  the  Father's  Glory,  of  one  Subftance,  and  equal 
with  him  :  Who  made  the  World,  who  upholdeth 
and  governeth  all  things  he  hath  made  :  Did,  when 
the  fulnefs  of  time  was  come,  take  upon  him  (/ ) 
Man's  nature,  with  all  the  effential  Properties,  aad 
common  Infirmities  thereof  (^j  yet  without  Sin  ;  be- 
^ng  conceived  by  the  Holy  Spirit  in^Tie  IVomb  of  the 
Virgin  Mary^  the  Holy  Spirit  coming  down  upon  her, 
and  the  Power  of  the  ?noJt  high  overfhadowing  her  [h) 
and  fo  was  made  of  a  Woman^  of  the  Tribe  of  Judah^ 
of  the  Seed  of  Abraham  and  David^  according  to  the 
Scriptures  :  So  that  two  whole,  perfect,  and  diftin<?b 
Natures,  were  infeparably  joined  together  in  one  Per- 
fon,  without  Converfwi^  Cornpofition^  or  Confufwn  ; 
which  Perfon  is  very  Gcd^  and  very  Man^  yet  one 
(i)  Chrij}^  the  only  Mediator  between  God  and  Man.^^ 

3.  The  Lord  Jejus  in  his  Human  Nature  thus 
united  to  the  Divine,  in  the  Perfon  of  the  Son^  was 
fanclified,  and  anointed  (k)  with  the  Holy  Spirit^  a- 
bove  meafure;  having  in  him  (I)  all  the  treafures  of 
Wifdom  and  Knowledge  ;  in  whom  it  pleafed  the 
Father^  that  (m)  all  fuUnefs  (hould  dwell )  to  the  end, 

that 

(fl)  Ifaiah  e^x.  i.  1  Pet.  i.  9,  10.  (c)  He!>.  5.  j,  6.  (d)  PAltn  x, 
6.  Luke  r.  33.  Eph.  i.  13.  Heb.  i,  z.  Arts  17.  31.  (e)  JfaiaJi  53. 
10.  John  17.  6.  Rom.  8.  30.  (/)  i  John  r.  14.  Gal.  4.  4.  fg)  Rom. 
8.  3.  Heb.  i.  14,  x6,  17.  ch.  4.  IS.  (h)  Luke  1.  n,  31,  3J.  (i) 
Rom.  9.  s  1  Tim.  x.  5.  {k)  Pfalm  45-  7-  Afts  xa.  38,  John  3.  34. 
a^Cohi.  3.  {^»)Coli.i^.  '*^ 


l6  Of  ChrtJ}  the  Mediator, 

i /that  being  (^«)  holy,  harmlefs,  undeFiled,  and  full  (^s) 
of  Grace^  and  Truths  he  might  be  thoroughly  fur- 
t  nilhed  to  execute  the  Oi?ice  of  a  Mediator^  and  (p)  ' 
I  Surety  j  which  Office  he  took  not  upon  himfelf,  but 
\  w,as  theieunto  [q)  called  by  his  Father  ;  who  alio  put 
'■  (r)  all  Power  and  Judgment  in  his  Hand,,  and  gave 
I  him  Commandment  to  execute  the  fame. 
V     .  4.   This  Office  the  Lord  Jefus  did  moft  {f)  willing- 

/'1y  undertake,  which  that  he  might  difcharge  he  was 
made  under  the  Law,  {t)  and  did  perfedly  fulfil  it, 
and  underwent  the  {u)  Punishment  due  to  us,  which 
we  fhould  have  borne  and  fuffered,  being  made  (x) 
Sm  and  a  Curfe  for  us  ;  enduring  mcfi:  grievous  Sor- 
rows (y)  in  his  Soul  ;  and  moll  painful  fufFerings  in 
his  Body  ;  was  crucified,  and  died,  and  remained  in 
the  ftate  of  the  d^xl  ;  yet  ij^w  no  (%)  Corruption  :  On 
the  [a)  third  Dap^e  arofe  from  the  Dead,  with  the  *V 
fame  {b)  Body  in  which  he  fufFered  ;  with  which  he 
alfo  {c)  afcended  into  Heaven  ;  and  there  fitteth  on 
the  right  Hand  o^  his  Father  (d)  making  interceffion  ; 
and  (hall  (e)  return  to  judge  Alen  and  Angels^  at  the 
end  of  the  World. 

^  5.  The  Lord  Jefus^  by  his  perfe(5^  Obedience  and 
Sacrifice  of  himfelf,  which  he  through  the  eternal 
Spirit  once  offered  up  unto  God,  ( f)  hath  fully  fatis- 
fied  the  Juftice  of  God,  procured  reconciliation,  and 
purchafed  an  everUlfing  Inheiiraace  in  the  Kingdom 
of  Heaven,  (^)  for  ail  thofe  whom  the  Father  hath 
a  given  unto  him. 

^  6.   Although 

•>  («)  Heb  7.  i5.  (0)  John  I.  14.  {p)  Heb.  7.  ii.  {q)  Heb.  5  5. 
(r)  John  J.  zx,  27-  Mat.  28.  18.  Afts  z.  35  (j)  Pfalm  4-.  78. 
Jlel»*.io  s — II.  John  10,  18.  {t)  Gal  4.  4.  Mat.  3.  15.  (u)  Gal. 
^.  13.  Ifaiah  53.  6.  I  Pet.  3.  18.  (x)  %  Cor.  $.  21.  (y)  Matt  a(5. 
37,,  3f.  Luke  XI.  44.  Matt.  27.  46.  (z)  Afts  13.  37.  {a)  i  Cor  ij. 
^,  4.  (i)  John  io.  i^,  27.  (c)  Mark  16.  16.  kCts  i.  9,  10,  11.  (r/) 
Rom.  8.  34.  Heb.  9.  24.  («?)  A£ls  ro.  42.  Rom.  14.  9,  10.  k(\s  i. 
10.  [/]  Hvib.  9«  14.  ch.  10.  14.  Rom.  3.*5,  itf.  L?j  John  17.  ». 
Heb.  9.  1 5. 


Of  Chrljl  the  Mediator,  ■,  !•} 

6.  Although  the  Price  of  Redemption  was  not  ac- 
tually paid  bv  Chrij?^  till  after  his  Incarnation^  (*)  yet 
(he  virtue,  etTicacy,  and  benefit  thereof  v/as  commu- 
nicated to  the  Elect  in  all  Ages  fucceffiv'ely,  from  the 
be2;inning  of  the  World,  in  and  by  thofe  Promifes> 
Types,  and  Sacrifices,  wherein  he  was  revealed,  and 
fignified  to  be  the  Seed  of  the  JVornan^  which  fhould 
bruife  the  Serpent's  Head  ;  (/;)  and  the  Lamb  (lain 
fi-om  the  Foundation  of  the  World  :  (z)  Being  the 
fame  ye/hrday\  and  to  day^  and  for  ever. 


minited  by  the  other  Nature.  ^ 

8.  To  all  thofe  for  whom  Chrift  hath  obtained 
eternal  Redemption,  he  doth  certainly  and  efPedual- 
ly  (/)  apply,  and  communicate  the  fame  ;  making  In- 
terceflion  for  them  ;  uniting  them  to  himfelf  by  his 
Spirit  ;  (;;/)  revealing  unto  them,  in  and  by  the  VVord* 
the  Myftery  of  Salvation  ;  perfwading  them  to  be-^ 
lieve,  and  obey ;  (n)  governing  their  Hearts  by  his  \ 
Word  and  Spirit,  and  (^)  overcoming  all  their  Ene- 
mies by  his  Almighty  Power,  and  Wifdom  ;  in  fuch 
manner  and  ways,  as  are  moft  confonant  to  his  won- 
derful, Rnd  [p)  unfearchable  difpenfation ;  and  all  of 
free,  and  ablolute  Grace,  without  any  Condition 
forefeen  in  them,  to  procure  it.  — -^ 

g.  This  Office  of  Mediator  between  God  and  Man 
is  proper  (^)  only  to  Chrift,  who  is  the  Prophet, 
Prieft,  and  King  of  the  Church  of  God  ;    and  may 

C  not 

[*J  1  Cor.  4.  lo.  Heb,.4.  z    i  Pet.  i.  lo,   it.   {h)  Rev.  \i.  8.  (/)  / 
Hcb.  n.  8.  (^)  John  3.  13.  Afts  zo.  z8.  (/)  John  d.  37.    chap^jd,' 
IS,  16.  &  chap.  17,  9,  Rom.  j.  10.  (w)  John  17.  <5.   Eph.  i.  9.    x 
John  5.  zo.   (/2)  Rom.  8.  9,  14.  Pfalm  no.  i.  {0)  x  Cor.  5.  %%,},^* 
ii)  John  3.  8.  Eph.  I.  8.  {ji)  X  Tim.  ».  5. 


1 


) 


i8  OfChrij}  the  Medluior-. 

not  be  either  in  whole,  or  any  part  thereof  transfer- 
red from  him  to  any  other, 

10.  This  number  and  order  of  Oilices  is  neceiTary  j 
for  in  refpecft  of  our  (r)  Ignorance,  wc  lland  in  need 
of  his  prophetical  OrBce;  and  in  /efpcct  of  our  alie* 
nation  from  God,  (5)  and  impcrft<3:ion  of  the  belt  o: 
our  Services,  we  need  his  Prieftly  Office,  io  rcccn-^ 
cile  us,  and  prefent  us  acceptable  unto  God  :  And 
in  refpecSl  of  our  averfenefs,  and  utter  inability  to  re- 
■tUJCn  to  God,  and  for  our  refcue,  and  fecurity  fiom 
our  fpiritual  Adverfaries,  we  wtz^  his  Kingly  Office, 
(/)  to  convince,  fubdue,  draw,  uphold,  deliver,  and 
preferve  us  to  his  Heavenly  Kingdom. 

^ vJ^'tv  v^ffl  O  "Q  ^  'tj^  O  O  *<y  >g  y  Vj.-  •^  O  *£?  *$^  ^*f^  'S'ff  ^  v>'  'Q-!&  cy  x>^ 
CHAP.       IX, 

(P/  F  R  E  E    W  I  L  L. 

^I.  dT^  O  D  hath  ind<ied  the  Will  of  Man  with  that 
\jj  natural   liberty   and   power  of   acting    upon 
choice,  that  it  is  {a)  neither  forced,  nor  by  any  nc- 
ceffitv  of  nature  determined  to  do  good  or  evil. 

2.  Man  in  his  flate  of  Innoccncy,  had  freedom, 
and  power,  to  v-mH,  and  to  do,  that  [b)  which  was 
good,  and  well-pleafing  to  God  ;  but  yet  [c)  was 
mutable,  fo  that  he  might  fall  from  it. 
'  3.  Man  by  his  fall  into  a  fhte  of  Sin,  hath  wholly 
loft  [d)  all  ability  of  will,  to  any  fpiritual  good  ac- 
companying Salvation  ;  fo  as  a  natural  Man,  being 
altogether  averfe  from  that  good,  {e)  and  dead  in  Sin, 
is  ngt  able,  by  his  own  ftrength,  to(f)  convert  him- 
felf,  or  to  prepare  himfelf  thereunto. 

' 4.  When 

(r)  John  I.  j8.  (0  Col.  i.  11.  GaU  S-  i?-  (O  Jo^-^R  »«•  8  Pfalm 
no.  3.  {a)  Mat,  17.  xx.  Jam.  i.  14  0e\it.  30.  10.  {h)  Hcclef.  7. 
ap.     (c)    Gen.  3.  6.      (rf)    Rom  5.  ^,  ch.  8.  7..    (0    Eph.*.  i,  S. 


Of  Free  Will,  19 

4.  When  God  converts  a  Sinner,  and  tianfutes 
iiim.  into  the  (late  of  Grace,  (g)  he  freeth  him  from 
his  natural  Bondage  under  Sin,  and  by  his  Grace 
alone,  enables  him  (/;)  freely  to  will,  and  do  that 
which  is  rpiritually  good  ;  yet  io  as  that,  by  reafon 
of"  his  (/)^Temaining  Corruptions^he  doth  not  per- 
fectly nor  only  will  that  which  is»^ood,  but  dotlval- 
fo  will  that  which  is  evil. 

5.  The  Will  of  Man  is  made  [k)  perfectly  and  im- 
rnuiably  free  to  good  alone  in  th^  State  of  Glory- 
only. 

CHAP.       X. 

Cy  E  F  F  E  C  T  U  A  L      CALLING. 

i»  ^  I  A  HOSE  whom  God  hath  predeftinated  unto 
JL      Life,  he  is  pleafed  in  his  appointed  and  ac- 
cepted time  [a)  effectually  to  call  by  his  Word  and. 
Spirit,  out  of  that  ftate  of  Sin  and  Death,  in  v/hich 
they  are   by   Nature,  to  Grace  and  Salvation  ih)  by 
Jefus   Chriil ;    enjightning  their  Minds,    fpiritually 
and  favingly,  to  (r)  underftand  the  Things  of  God  ; 
taking  away  their  i^cV)  Heart  of  Stone,  and  giving  un-. 
to  them  an  Heart  of  Flefh  ;    renewing  their  Wills, 
and  by  his  Almighty  Power  determining  them  {e)  to 
that  wliich  is  good,  and  effcflually  drawing  them  to      t 
jelus  Chri)l ;  yet  to,  as  they  come  [f)  moft  freely,  be-     ' 
iiig  made  willing  by  hrs  Grace. 

^2.   This  Lffectual  call  is  of  God's  frc*^  and  fpepial 
Grace  alone,  {g)  not  from  any  thing  at  ;ill  lUefeen 

C    3 '     ..    ja 

Kg)  Col  I.  ,3.  John  fi  36.  (/;)  Phil.  x.  13.  (i)  Rom.  7-  U,  18. 
».9i  *i,  »3-  (^)  Brh.  \.  13.  {a)  Rom  8.  30  Ron.  11.  7.  Eph.  1/ 
to  ii.i.  ThefT  3  13,14.  {h)  Kph.  i.  i.—c;.  (c)  A£ts  itf.  ig- 
J-'Ph.  1.7.18.  (,n  Eztk  3<f.  z6.  (t)Deut.  30  <J.  Ezek  id-'x^, 
1  r'^.  I.  19   (/)  i^^i^im  no.  3.  Crint.  i.  4.  (^)  x  Tim.  r.  9.  E^h.  -  b.' 


20  Of  Efeaual  Calling, 

in  Man,  nor  from  any  Pov/er  or  Agency  in  the  Crea- 
ture, co-working  with  his  fpecial  Grace;  [h)  the 
Creature  being  wholly  paiTive  therein,  being  dejd  in 
Sins  and  Treipafles,  until  being  quickned  and  re- 
newed by  the  Holy  Spirit,  he  is  thereby  enabled  to 
anlwer  this  Call,, and  to  embrace  the  Grac^fFeied 
and  j^onvcyed  in  it^and  that  by  no  lefs  (/j^ower 
than  that  which  raiTed  up  Chriftfrom  the  Dead. 

3.  Lied  Infants  dying  in  Infancy,  are  (i)  rcgene- 
lated  and  faved  by  Chrilt  thro'  the  Spirit,  whowork- 
eth  when,  and  where,  and  (/)  how  he  pleafeth  :  So 
alfo  are  all  other  Ele£l  Perfons,  who  are  uncapable 
of  being  outwardly  called  by  the  Miniftry  of  the 
Word. 

4.  Others  not  elected,  altho'  they  may  be  called 
by  the  Miniftryof  the  Word,  (w)  and  may  have  fome 
common  Operations  of  the  Spirit ;  yet,  not  being 
eife£lually  draw^n  by  the  Father,  they  neither  will, 
jjor  can  truly  («)  come  to  Chrifl  \  and  therefore  can- 
not be  faved  :  Much  lefs  can  Men  that  receive  not 
the  Chriftian  Religion  [0)  be  faved,  be  they  never  fo 
diligent  to  frame  their  Lives  according  to  the  Light 
o-f  Nature,  and  the  Law  of  that  Religion  they  do 
profefs. 


C     H     A     P.       XL 
Of  Justification. 


I.  rp  HOSE 
JL     alfo  freely 


(/;)  I  Cor.  2.  14.  Eph.  z.  $.  John  5.  15-  (0  E^ph-  x.  19,  20.  {h) 
Tohn3.  3,  5,6.  (/)lolin3,  8,  (w)  Mat,  2 z.  4-  ch.  13,20,^21. 
Heb.  6.  4,  5.  («)  John  6.  44,  45,  'J;,  i  John  2.  24,  iS-  (0  ^'^^^' 
4,  n.  John  4,  z>.  ch,  17.  3.  (a)  Rem.  3.  24.  ch.  8.  30. 


< 


whom  God  cfFe6lually  calleth,  be  V 
^   (^)  juiiifieih,    net   by    infufing    | 
Righteoufneis    L 


V 


Of  Jdopilon,  23    % 

and  (k)  ch^Aed  by  him,  as  by  a  Father;  yet  never  I 
(/)  caft  ofF,  batleaied  [m)  to  the  Day  of  Redemption,  J 
and  inherit  the  Promifes,  («)  as  Heirs  of  Evxrlafting  / 
Sal'/ationT  *-^ 

CHAP      XIII. 

Of  Sanctification. 

I.  ^  II  1  HEY  v^ho  ai-e  united  to  Chrift,  efFe£lnal]y\ 
J_      called,  and  regenerated,  hiving  a  new  Heart   ^ 
and  a  new   Spirit  created  in  them,    througa  the  Vi^*^ 
tue  of  Chrift's  Death  and  Refurredtion  ;  aie  alfo  (a) 
farther  fancSlified,  really  and  perfonajly,  through  the    / 
fame  Virtue,   (b)  by  his  V/ord  and  Spirit  dv/ellin^^irL/ 
them  ;  [c)  the£X)oniinior^of  the  whole  Body/of  Sin  is 
deilroycdS  (d)  2l\\A  the  feveral  Luli:s  thereof,  are  more 
and  more  weakened,   and  mortified  ;    and  they  mor^'y 
and  more   quicknea,  and  [e)  ftrengthened  in  all  fav-!f' 
ing  Graces,  to  the  (/)  Practice  of  all  true  Holinefs, 
without  which  no  Man  fliall  fee  the  Lord. 

2.  This  Sandtihcation   is  {g)  throughout   in  the' 
whole   Man,    yet  imperfect   [h)  in   this   Life  j  there  ^ 
abideth  ftill    fome  Remiaants  of  Corruption   in  every 
_^^art,  whence  arifeth  a  (i)  continual  and  irreconcile- 

Tuli-i'  ^"^^^^i    f'"^  Fle/h  lulling  againft  the  Spirit,  and  * 
:    .e  Spirit  againft  the  Flefh. 

3.  In   which   War,  although  the  remaining  Cor-  1 
ruption  for  a  Time  may  much  {k)  prevail,  yet  through  »c 

the 

Ck)  Heh.  II.  6.  (IJ  riaiah  54.  8,  9.  Lam.  3.  31.  (w)  Eph.  4.  30. 
(r?)  Heh.  r.-  14.  ch.  6.  ii.  {a)  Adls  xo.  31.  Rom.  6.  5,  6.  {b)  John 
17.  17.  EpW.  3.  Id,  17,  18,  19.  I  Thefi'  5.  zr,  xi,  23.  {c)  Rom.  C, 
14  (rf)  Gal.  J.  14,  24.  {e)  Col.  I.  II.  (/)  i  Cor.  7.  i.  Heb.  xt. 
14.  (i)  i  ThefT  s.  23.  f/j;  RoAi.  7.  il!,  iS-  (0  Ga!.  5.  »7.  «  i^'  ' 
*.  n.  (^^^  Rom.  7.  *3. 


20  Of  EffeSiual  Calling, 

in  Man,  nor  from  any  Power  or  Agency  In  the  Crea- 
ture, co-working  with  his  fpecial  Grace;  (/;)  the 
Creature  being  vvholjy  pafTive  therein,  being  dead  in 
Sins  and  Treipailes,  until  being  quickned  and  re- 
newed by  the  Holy  Spirit,  he  is  thereby  enabled  lo 
anlwer  this  Call,, and  to  embrace  the  GracdjpfFeied 
andj^onvcyed  in  ir^and  that  by  no  left  (/j^Powcr 
than  that  which  railed  up  Chriftfrom  the  Dead. 

3.  Lle6t  Infants  dying  in  Infancy,  arc  (i)  rcgcne- 
lated  and  faved  by  Chrift  thro'  the  Spirit,  whowork- 
eth  when,  and  where,  and  (/)  how  he  pleafeth  :  So 
alfo  are  all  other  Ele£l  Perfons,  who  are  uncapable 
of  being  outwardly  called  by  the  Miniftry  of  the 
Word. 

4.  Others  not  elected,  altho'  they  may  be  called 
by  the  Miniftryof  the  Word,  [m)  and  may  have  fome 
common  Operations  of  the  Spirit ;  yet,  not  being 
eiFe6lually  drawn  by  the  Father,  they  neither  will, 
Eor  can  truly  («)  come  to  Chrifl ;  and  therefore  can- 
not be  faved  :  Much  lefs  can  Men  that  receive  not 
the  Chriftian  Religion  [0)  be  faved,  be  they  never  fo 
diligent  to  frame  their  Lives  according  to  the  Light 
af  Nature,  and  the  Law  of  that  Religion  they  do 
profefs. 

C    H    A    P.      XL 
Of  Justification. 


od. 
the 


i.rpHOSE 
JL     alfo  freely 


whom  God  cfte£lually  calleth,  he  \ 
^    [a)  juiiifieth,    n©t   by    infufing    1 
Righteoulnefs    L 


(/;)  1  Cor.  z.  14.  Eph.  a.  $.  John  5.  as-  (0  t'ph.  i.  19,  10-  (^) 
John  3.  3,  5,  6.  (0  John  3.  8.  (w)  Mat.  zz.  4-  ch.  13,  zo,^i^. 
Heb.  6.  4,  5.  («)  John  6.  44,  45,  '^5.  i  John  z.  Z4,  iS-  (^)  ^'^'^  ' 
4.  Ti.  John  4,  2>,  ch,  17,  3.  (a)  Rom,  3.  34.  ch.  8.  30. 


Of  Adoption,  a3   « 

/    and  [k)  chaAcd  by  him,  as  by  a  Father;    yet  never    \ 
(/j  calt  off,   but  leaied  (-^i)  to  the  Day  of  Redemption, 
and  inherit  the  Promifes,   («)  as  Heirs  of  £v<Jrlafting 
Sai'/ationT 


i 


CHAP      XIH. 

Of  Sanctification. 

I.  f  1  ^  HEY  who  are  united  to  Chrift,  effediially  \ 
^      called,  and  regenerated,  having  a  new  Heart   \ 
and  a  new   Spirit  created  in  them,    through  the  Vi#i^ 
tue  of  Chrift's  Death  and  Refurreilion  ;  are  alfo  (a) 
farther  fandlified,  really  and  perfonally,  through  the    i 
fame  Virtue,   (b)  by  his  V/ord  and  Spirit  dwellin^jji/ 
them  ;   [c)  the{X)oniinion)of  the  whole  Body^f  Sin  is 
de{lroycd5  (d)  arid  the  feveral  Luih  thereof,  are  more 
and  more  weaken|d,   and  mortified  ;    and  they  mor^'j 
and  more  quicknea,  and  [e)  ftrengthened  in  all  fav-^f' 
ing  Graces,  to  the  (/)  Pradice  of  all  true  Holinefs, 
without  which  no  Man  fhall  fee  the  Lord. 

2.  This  San6tihcation  is  [g)  throughout  in  the 
whole  Man,  yet  imperfect  [h)  in  this  Life  j  there  ^ 
abideth  ftili  fome  Remsants  ot  Corruption  in  every 
Part,  whence  arifeth  a  (/*)  continual  and  irreconcile- 
able  War  J  the  Fle/h  lulling  againft  the  Spirit,  and 
the  Spirit  againft  the  Flefh. 

3.  In   which   War,  although  the  remaining  Cor-    i 
ruption  for  a  Time  may  much  [k)  prevail,  yet  through    ♦ 

•      the 


(k)  Heh.  IS.  6.  (I)  Udxdh  54.  8,  9.  Lam.  3.  31.  (?«)  Eph.4.  30. 
(tt)  Heh.  I.'  14,  ch.  6.  12.  {a)  AO.S  xo.  31.  Rom.  6.  5,  6.  (b)  John 
17.  17.  Eph.  3.  Id,  17,  18,  19.  I  Thcfi'  5.  zr,  xx,  zj.  (e)  Rom.  6, 
14  {dyGal.  s-  14,  X4.  (e)  Col.  r.  11.  (/)  x  Cor.  7.  i.  Beb.  it. 
14.' (i)  i  ThefT  s  13.  r^J  RoAi.  7.  I'-J,  ij.  (0  Gal.  5.  17.  i  ?:■ 
*.  n,  (kj  Rom.  7,  ).i. 


*    24  Of  im^tl^catlon, 

'  the  continual  fupply  of  Strength,  U(^m^Q  fGnalfylng 
Spirit  oL-ChriJi,  f/)  the  regenerate  Piff' doth  over- 
come; ^nd  10  theSaints  grow  in  Grace,  perfedting^ 
..^liolinefs  m  the  Fear  of  God,  (m)  prciTing  after  an 
'  HeavenJy  Life,  jn  Evangelical  Obed;ence  t  all  the 
Commands  \n\i\q\\  Chriji,  as  iiW/ and  King^  in  his  <| 
IVord  haih  prefcribe^d  to  them.  '  1 

/  ^ 

C     H    A   .p.     XIV. 

(9/*    S  A  V  I  N  G      F  A  I  T  H. 

/^.  'T^  K  -E  Grace  of  Faiih,  whereby  the  Ele£l  are 
J^  erahledtobelievetotheSavingof  their  Souls, 
is  the  vVo-^k  of  the  Spirit  of  Chrijl  {a)  In  their  Hearts, 
ITfjd  is  ordinarily  wrought  by  the  Miniftry  of  the  {b) 
"Word  ;'*by  which  alfo,  and  by  the  Adminiftration  of 
Baptif?n,    and   the   Lord's  Sr/pper,  Prayer  and  other  ^ 

'TMeans   appointed  of   God^    it  is<^increaied,    {c)   and    ; 
ilrengthned-*^ 

2.   By  this  Faith ^  a  Chridianbelieveth  to  be  true*', 

^  whatfoever  is  revealed  in  the  IVordy  for  the  Authori- 
ty of  God  himfcif ;  and  alfo  apprehendcth  an  Excel- 
lency therein  {d)  above  all  other  Writings  ;  and  all 
Things  in  the  JVorld:  As  ft  bears  forth  the  Glory  of 
God  In  his  Attributes,  the  Excellency  of  Chri^fl  in  his 
Nature  and  Offices,  and  the  Power  and  Fulnefs  of 
the  Holy  Spirit  m  his  Workings  and  Operations  ;  and 
fo  is  enabled  to  [e)  caft  his  Soul  upon  the  Truth  thus 
believed,  and  alfo  a6leth  differently  upon  that  which 
each  particular  Paflage  thereof  containeth  ;  yielding 

^  Obedience 

(/)  Rom.  6.  14.    (>?:)    Eph.  4.  r  j,  i5.    i  Cor.  5.  i3.  chap.  7.  r. 
(a)  X  Cor.  4.  13.  Eph.  2..  U.  {I)  Ror%  ro;  14.  17.    (c)  Luke  17.  s« 
.  I  Pet.  i.  ^.  Afts  xo.  31.  *  Ads  14.  14.    (rf)  J^falrrs  ip,  7»  ^?  P,  «0' 
Ffalra  119.  7*.  (c)  i  Tim.:  r.  «*, 


Of  having  Faith,  25 

Obcuience  ^f  the  (/)  Commands,  trembling  at  the 
[g)  Treatn^^s,  and  embracing  the  (/;)  Promifes  of 
GW,  tor  this  Life,  and  that  which  is  to  come  ;  But 
the  principal  Ads  of  Saving  Faithy  hath  immediate 
Relation  to  ChriJ}^  accepting,  receiving,  and  refting 
upon  (i)  him  aldne,  for  Juftification,  Sandification, 
and  Eternal  Life,  by  viitue  of  the  Covenant  of 
.^-Grace.  »-  ly 

3.  I'his  Faith^  although  it  be  different  in  degrees,  • 
and  may  be  weak,  (k)  or  ftrong,  ^et  it  is  in  iheleaft 

J.  Degree  of  it,  dilFerent  in'  the  Kind,  or  Nature  of  it, 
(as  is  all  other  Saving  Gratte)  from  the  Faith  (/)  and 
common  Graceof  temporary  Believers  ;  and  therefore, 

I  tho'  it  may  be  many  Times  aflailed  and  weakened, 
yet  it  gets  [^iii)  the  Vidory,  growing  up  m  many,,  to 
the  Attainment  of  a  full  [n)  AfTurance  through  Chriji:^ 
who  is  both  the  Author  \.o)  and  Finilher  of  our 
Faith, 


CHAP.       XV. 

0/*  Repentance  unto  Life  and  Salvation. 

I.  O  U  C  H  of  the  Elect  as  are  converted  at  riper     . 
O  Years,  having  ('<3J  fometimes  lived  in  the  State  ^ 
/  of  Nature,  and  thercm  ferved  divers  Lufts  and  Plea- 
fares,    God   ii\  their   Effeftual  Callings  giveth   them 
Repentance  unto  Life.  . 

2.  Whereas  there  is  none  that  doth  good,  2^xi^^^: 
^    neth  [b)  not,  and  the  bed  of  Men  may,  through  the  ^' 

fower 


(/)  Jolxn  15.  14.  {g)  ifa;  66.  i.  (/;)  Hcb.  ii.  13.  (i)  John  i.ix. 
Afts  .6.  31.  Gal.  z.  10.  Ads  is.  11  {k)  Hcb.  5-  13,  M-  Mat,  <S. 
30.  Rom.  4.  19,  lo.  (/)  i  Pet.  i.  i.  (w)  Eph.  6.  16.  i  John  s^  Ay 
5.  (n)  Hcb.  6.  II,  Ti.  Col.  A.  i.  {0)  Hek.  ix,  *.  {a)  Tit.  3  %,  3, 
4,  5-.  {b)  llccl.  7.  io. 


26  Of  Repentance  unto  Life  and  ^Glvatvyn. 

Power  and  Deceitfulnefs  of  their  Corrlfcition  dwell- 
ing  in  them,  with  the  Prevalency  of  i  emptation, 
fall  into  greater  Sins  and  Provocations,  God  hath  in 
the  Covenant  of  Grace,  me.cifully  provided  that  }je- 
lievtfrs  fo  Sinning  and  Falling,  (f)  be  renewed  through 
Repentance  unto  Salvation. 

,  3.  This  Saving  Repentance  is  an  i^d)  Evangelical 
Grace,  whereby  a  Perfon,  being  by  the  Holy  Spirit- 
"made  fenfible  of  the  manifold  Evils  of  his  ^in,  doth, 
by  Faith  in  Chriftj'j^umble  himfelf)|[for  it,  with  God- 
ly Sorrow,  detefiation  of  it,  and  (elf-abhorrency  ;  [e) 
praying  for  Pardon  and  Strength  of  Grace,  with  a 
Purpofe  and  Endeavour  by  Supplies  of  the  Spirit,  to 
(f)  walk  before  God  unto  all  well-pleafing  in  all 
Things. 

•r  4.  As  Repentance  is  to  be  continued  through  the 
whole  Courfe  of  our  Lives,  upon  the  Account  of  the 
Body  of  Death,  and  the  Motions  thereof;  fo  it  is  e- 
verj  Man's  Duty  to  repent  of  his  (^)  particular  known 
Sins,  particularly. 

'5.  Such  is  the  Provifion  which  God  hath  made 
through  Chiift  in  the  Covenant  of  Grace,  for  the 
Prefervation  of  Believers  unto  Salvation,  that  al- 
though there  is  no  Sin  fo  fmalf,  but  it  deferves  (/;) 
Damnation  ;  yet  there  is  no  Sin  fo  great,  that  it  fhall 
bring  Damnation  on  them  that  (/)  repent;  which 
makes  the  conltaiU  Preaching  of  Repentance  nc- 
ceflary.^ 

CHAP. 


{c)  L,v,k.e  2x.  .31,  31.  (tlj  Zech.  li.  ic?.  Arts  it.  18.  {e)  Ezek. 
^6  31.  1  Cor.  7.  II.  ( /)  rfa'%1  119.  6.  Pfalm  1T9.  1*8.  {g)  Luke 
ip,  8,  »  Tim,  I-    r  J.   0-\  RoTi.  6,  ir   (?"1  Ifa,  i.  16,  t?-  Ifa.  5S  i?. 


/ 


L    ^7    ] 

CHAP.       XVL 

Of  G  o  o  D     Works. 

I.  f^  O  O  D  Works  are  only  fuch  as  God  hath  {a) 

\Jf  commanded  in  his  Holy  Word,  and  not  fuch 

■i-  as  without  the  Warrant  thereof,  are  devifed  by  Men, 

.out  of  blind  Zeal,  {b)  or  upon  any  Pretence  of  good 

Intentions. 

2.  Thefe  e;ood  Works,  done  iri  Obedience  fo 
God's  Commandments,  are  the  Fruits  and  Evidences 
{c)  of  a  true  and  lively  Faith  ;  and  by  them  Believers 
maniieft  their  (d)  Thankfulnefs,  ftrengthen  their  {e) 
Afiurance,  edify  their  (/)  Brethren,  adorn  the  Pro- 
feffion  ot  the  Gofpel,  flop  the  Mouths  of  the  Adver- 
farics,  and  glorify  (fj  God,  whofe  Workmanship 
they  are,  created  in  Chrift  Jefus  [h)  thereunto,  that 
having  their  Fruit  unto  Holinefs,  they  may  have  the 
€nd  (/)  Eternal  Life. 

3.  Their  Ability  to  do  good  Works,  is  not  at  all 
of  themfclves,  but  wholly  from  the  Spirit  [k)  of 
Chrift  ;  and  that  they  may  be  enabled  thereunto,  be- 
fides  the  Graces  they  have  already  received,  there  is 
neceffkry  an  (/)  actual  Influence  of  the  lame  Holy 
Spirit  to  work  in  them  to  will,  and  to  do  of  his  good 
Ple.afure ;  yet  are  they  not  hereupon  to  grow  Ne^rfc 
gent,  as  if  they  were  not  bound  to  perform  any  Du- 
ty, unlefs  upon  a  fpecial  Motion  of  the  Spirit,  but 

they 

{a)  Mic.  6.  S.  Heb.  13.  zi.  {b)  Mat.  15.  9.  Ifa.  ip.  15.  (c)Jam, 
a.  18.  ^^..  (d)  Pfriim  xi6.  11,  13.  (f)  t  John  t.  3,  5.  *  Pet,  t.  5^ 
XI.  Cf)  Mat.  5.  16.  {g)  I  Tina.  6.  i.  t  Pet.  v.  15.  PhH  i.  j,^ 
{h)  Ephei:  1.  10.  (i)  Ropj.  5.  xx,  {k)  John  1,-.  4,  7.  (/)  j,  Gor.  j. 
vj.  Phil.  «.  I?. 


2^  Of  Good  Works, 

ley  ought  to  be  diligent  in  (;«)  ftirring  up  the  Grace 
of  God  that  is  in  them. 

4.  They  who  in  their  Obedience  attain  to  the 
greatert  Height  which  is  pofTible  in  this  Life,  are  fo 
far  from,  being  able  to  fuperercgate,  and  to  do  more 
than  God  requires,  as  that  (71)  they  fall  ihort  of 
much  v^hich  in  Duty  they  are  bound  to  do" 

^.  We  cannot  by  our  beft  Works  merit  Pardon  of 
Sin,  or  Eternal  Life  at  the  Hand  of  God,  by  reafon 
of  the  great  Difproportion  that  is  between  them  and 
the  Glory  to  come,  and  the  infinite  diilance  that  is 
between  us  and  God,  whom  by  them  we  can  neither 
profit,  nor  fatisfy,  for  the  Debt  of  our  [0)  former 
Sins  ;  but  when  we  have  done  all  we  can,  we  have 
done  but  our  Duty,  and  are  unprofitable  Servants  : 
Arid  becaufe  as  they  are  good,  they  proceed  from  his 
(p)  Spirit,  and  as  they  are  wrought  by  us,  they  are 
defiled,  [q)  and  mixed  with  fo  much  Weaknefs  and 
Imoerfe^tion,  that  they  cannot  endure  the  Severity  of 
God's  Judgment. 

6.  Yet  notwithftanding  the  Perfons  of  Believers 
being  accepted  through  Chriil,  their  good  Works  al- 
fo  are  accepted  in  (r)  him  ;  not  as  though  they  were 
in  this  Life  v/holly  unblameable  and  unreproveable 
in  God's  Sight ;  but  that  he  looking  upon  them  in 
his  Son,  is  pleafed  to  accept  and  reward  that  which 
is  (s)  fincere,  although  accompanied  with  many 
WeaknelTes  and  Imperfections, 
■(•'y.  <Works  done  by  unregenerate  Men,  although 
for  th^  Matter  of  them,  they  may  be  Things  which 
.  God  commands,  and  of  good  Ufe,  both  to  themfelves 
and  (f)  others  ;  yet  becaufe  they  proceed  not  from  3 
Heart  purified  by  {u)  Faith,  nor  are  done  in  a  right 

Manner 


(?«)  Phil   z.  i».  Heb;  €.  it.  i.    Ifa.  64.  7-  (w)  JoH  9-  *>  3-  Gal. 
5.  17    T.v.i^e  17.  10.  {0)  Rom.  3.  lo.  Eph.  x.  8,  9.  Rom.  4-  <5-  v/*) 
Gal.  s.  *i,  Z3-    {q)  Ifa.  64.  6.  Pfalm  143.  z.  (r)  Eph.  i.  6.  1  Pet. 
X.  5.  {i)X^tit.,  IS.  ii,  X3-  Heb.  6.  10.  (/)  x  Kings  10.  30.  i  Kings, 
3,1.  i7,  »^V  («)  Gen.4.  9.  Hcb.  H.4.  (5. 


Of  Good  JVorks.  '  29 

Manner  according  to  the  (w)  Word,  nor  to  a  right 
End  the  (a^  Glory  of  God,  they  are  finful,  and  can- 
not pleafe  God,  nor  make  a  Man  meet  to  receive 
Grace  from  (y)  God  ;  and  yet  their  neglea  ol  thenx 
is  more  finful,  and  {z)  difpkafmg  to  God. 

CHAP.      XVII. 

O/'Perseverance^/  //^^  Saints. 

i.rTT^HOSE  whom  God  hath  accepted  in  tlfS' 
J_  Beloved,  effe6tually  called  and  fandified  by 
*his  Spirit,  and  given  the  precious  Faith  of  his  £le6l 
unto,  can  neither  totally  nor  finally  fall  from  the 
State  of  Grace,  (a)  but  (hall  certainly  perfevere  there- 
in to  the  End,  and  be  eternally  faved,  feeing  the 
Gifts  and  Callings  of  God  are  without  Repentance, 
{whence  he  ftill  begets  and  nouriflieth  in  them  Faith, 
Repentance,  Love,  Joy,  Hope,  and  all  the  Graces 
of  the  Spirit  unto  Immortality^  and  though  many 
Storms  and  Floods  arife  and  beat  againft  them,  yet 
they  (hall  never  be  able  to  take  them  oiF  that  Foun- 
dation and  Rock  which  by  Faith  they  are  faftned  up- 
on :  Notwithftanding,  through  Unbelief  and  the 
Temptations  of  Satan,  the  fenfible  Sight  of  the  Light 
and  Love  of  God,  may  for  a  Time  be  clouded,  and 
obfcured  frorn  (b)  them,  yet  it  is  ftill  the  fame,  (c) 
and  they  fhall  be  fure  to  be  kept  by  the  Power  of  God 
unl£^  Sal vationJ^ where  they  (hall  enjoy  their  purchafed=V' 
J^  Folleifion>v^ey  being  engraven  upon  the  Palm  of  his  ^ 
D Hands, 

(w)  I  Cor.  13.  I.  (x)  Mat.  <$.  i,  5.  (y)  Amos  ^.  »r,  »».  Rom* 
9.  10;  Tit.  3.  s.  (2)  Job  ai.  14,  15.  Mat.  aj.  41,  4*,  43;.  (a)  John 
so.  18,  ip.  Phil.  I.  6.  X  Tim.  x.  19.  x  John  »,  1^.  (*;  f falai  80^ 
3I)  3««  a»Coi-.  ix.  %%,  {c)  Mai.  3,  O, 


^ 


i 


30  Of  Pcrfiverance  of  the  Scthits. 

/Hands,  and   their  Names  having  been  written  in  th 
/  3ook  of  Life  from  all  Eternity. 

^  2.  This  Perfeveraiice  of  the  Saints,  depends inot 
'i^upon  their  own  Free  Wi!],  butfupon  the  Immutabi- 
lity of  the  Decree  of  {d)  Election,  flowing  from  the 
free  and  unchangeable  Love  of  God  the, Father,  up- 
on the  Efficacy  of  the  Merit  and  InterccHion  of  Jefus 
Chrift  [e)  and  Union  with  him,  the  [f)  Oath  of 
God,  the  abiding  of  his  Spirit,  and  the  [g)  Seed  of 
God  within  them,  and  the  Nature  of  the  (/;?)  Cove- 
nant of  Grace;  from  all  which  arifeth  alfo  the  Cer- 
tainty and  Infallibility  thereof. 

3.  And  though  they  may,  through  the  Temptati^ 
of  Satan,  and  of  the  World,  the  Prevalency  of 
Corruption  remaining  in  them,  and  the  NeaJecS  of 
Means  of  their  Preiervation,  fall  into  grievous  (f) 
Sins,  and  for  a  Time  continue  therein ;  whereby 
they  Incur  (i)  God's  Difpleafurc,  and  grieve  his  ho- 
ly Spirit,  come  to  have  their  Graces  and  (I)  Comforts 
impaired,  have  their  Hearts  hardened,  and  their 
ponfciences  wounded,  (m)  hurt,  and  fcandalize  o- 
thers,  and  bring  temporal  Judgments  (n)  upon  them- 
felves,  yet  they  ihall  renew  their  [0)  Repentance, 
and  be  prefer ved,  through  Faith  in  Chrill  Jefus,  to 
the  End. 

CHAP.     xvni. 

Of  the  Assurance  ^Gr ace  ^«i  Salvation, 


I.    yt     LTHOUGH  tetDporary    Believers,  and 
£^\^  other  unregenerate  Men,  ^may  vainly  deceive 

themfelves 


(f/)  Rom.  8.  30.  ch.  911,  i<S.  {e)  Rom.  s-  9,  lo-  John  14.  15. 
rf)  Heb.  6.  17,  18.  {g)  I  John  3.  9.  (/;)  Jer.  sx.  40.  (i)  Matt.  z6. 
70,  71,  74.  (^)  Ifa.  64.  s.  9.-Eph.4.  JO.  {})  Pfalm  51.  i*,  tx  {^) 
^la.  3*.  3,  4-  rV  *  S*n^«  **•  '*•  CO  I-nke*i'  3*'  &  v.  61^  63., 


f 


Of  the  JJfurance  of  Grace  and  Saivatloiu  jr 

Uiemlelves  with  falfe Hopes,  and  carnal  Prefumptions, 
ot"  being  in  the  Favour  of  God,  and  State  of  Salva- 
tion, (rt)  which  Hope  oHheirs  fhall  perifh  ;  yet  fuch 
as  truly  believe  in  the  Lord.Jefus,  and  love  him  in 
Sincerity,  endeavouring  to  walk  in  all  good  Confci- 
ence  betore  him,  may  in  this  Life  be  certainly  af- 
fured,  {by  that  they  are  in  the  State  of  Grace,  and 
may  rejoice  in  the  Hope  of  the  Glory  of  God,  which 
Hope  fhall  never  make  them  {c)  afliamed. 

2.  Thisj(Certainty>is  not  a  bare  conjedlural  and 
probable  Ferfaafion,  grounded  upon  [d)  a  fallible 
Hope,  but  an  infallible  Alkirance  of  Faith,  founded 
©n  the  Blood  and  Righteoufnefs  of  Chrifi:  {e)  reveal- 
ed in  the  Gofpel ;  and  alfo  upon  the  inward  (f)  Evi- 
dence of  thofe  Graces  of  the  Spirit  unto  v/hich  Pro- 
mifes  are  made,  and  on  the  Teftimony  of  the  [g)  Spi- 
rit of  Adoption,  witneHing  with  cur  Spirits,  that  we 
are   the  Children  of  God  ;  and,  as  a  Fruit  thereof,. 

ing  the  Heart  both  [h)  humble  and  holy. 

3.  This  infallible  AflTurance  doth  not  fo  belong  to 
the  Eflence  of  Faith,  but  that  a  true  Believer  m.ay 
wait  long  ;  and  conflict  with  many  Difficulties,  be- 
fore he  be  (/)  Partaker  of  it ;  yet  being  enabled  by- 
the  Spirit,  to  know  the  Things  which  are  freely  giv- 
en him  of  God,  he  may,  without  extraordinary  Re- 
velation, in  the  right  Ufe  of  Means  {k)  attain  there- 
unto ;  and  therefore  it  is  the  Dutv  of  everv  one  to 
give  all  diligence  to  make  their  Calling  and  Election 
fare,  that  thereby  hi?  Heart  raav  be  enlarged  in  Peace- 
and  Joy  in  the  Holy  Spirit,  in  love  and  thankfulnefs 
to  God,  and  in  ftrength  and  chearfulnefs  in  the  Du- 
ties of  Obedience,  the  proper  (/)  Fruits  of  this  Af- 

D  2  furance  ^ 


L    keep 


^ 


{n)  Job  8.  X3,  14.  Mat.  7.  zi,,2  3.  (b)  i  John  z.  3.  ch.  3  14,  ig; 
19,  XI,  24.  cb.  5.  13.  (c)  Rom.  5.  z,  s.  (^)  UehL  <5.  u, -19.  {e} 
nc:>-  6,  ,7,  ,8.  (/)  i  Pet.  X.4,  5,  TO,  II.  {-)  R-^m.'s.  I5;.ICJ..  {h) 
*  Jf'in  3  I,  z,  3.  (,•)  Jfa.  50,  10,  Pfalm  8^i.  <Sc  iTalm  77.."i~i*.M 
I  John  4.  13.  Heb.  6.  11,  li.  (/)Rom.  s.  i,  i,  5.  ch.  14.  17.  pkf 


32         Of  the  Ajjurance  of  Grace  and  Salvation, 

furance  ;  fo  far  is  it  (m)  from  inclining  Men  toloofe- 
nefs. 

4.  True  Believers  may  have  the  AfTuranceof  their 
Salvation  divers  ways  {liaken,  diminifhed,  and  inter- 
mitted ;  as  («)  by  negligence  in  preferving  of  it,  by 
(0)  falling  into  fome  fpecial  Sin,  v^^hich  woundeth 
the  Confcience,  and  grieveth  the  Spirit ;  by  fome 
fudden,  or  [p)  vehement  Temptation  ;  by  God's 
withdrawing  the  (q)  Light  of  his  Countenance,  and 
fufFering  even  fuch  as  fear  him  to  walk  in  Darknefs, 
and  to  have  no  Light ;  yet  are  they  never  deftitute 
of  the  (r)  Seed  of  God,  and  Life  (i)  of  Faith,  that 
Love  of  Chrift,  and  the  Brethren,  that  Sincerity  of 
Heart,  and  Confcience  of  Duty,  out  of  which,  by 
the  Operation  of  the  Spirit,  this  Aflurance  may  in 
due  time  be  (/)  revived;  and  by  the  which,  in  the 
mean  Time,  they  are  [u)  preferved  from  utter  De- 
fpair. 

CHAP.      XIX. 

Of  the  L  AVI   of  God. 

I.  jT^  O  D  gave  to  Jdcim  a  Law  of  Univerfal  Obe- 
\J  dience,  (a)  written  in  his  Heart,  and  a  par- 
ticular Precept  of  not  eating  the  Fruit  of  the  Tree  of 
Knowledge  of  Good  and  E^vil  ;  by  which  he  bound 
him,  and  all  his  Pofterity  to  perfonal,  entire,  exacl 
and  perpetual  [b)  Obedience  ;  promifed  Life  upon  the 
Fulfilling,  and  (r)  threatned  Death  upon  the  Breach 

of 


(m)  tlom.  6.  I,  X.  Tit.  i.  11',  iz,  14.  (»)  Cant,  s-  i,  3,  «•  (0 
Plalmsi.8,  la,  14.  (;')Pfa.  116.  ir.  Pfa.  77-  7,  8.  Pfalm.  31- ii- 
in)  Pfalm  30.  7.  (r)  i  John  3.  9-  (0  Luke  zx.  3^^  (V  P^^l^^  4*. 
J,  II.  («)  Lam.  3.  i<5,  a?— 31-  (<2)  Gen.  1.  27.  Ecclc.  7.  ap-  C'") 
Rom.  10.  J.  (f)  Gal.  3.  10,  li. 


^ 


Ofihe  Lciiv  cfGod,  33 

of  it,    and   indued  him  with  Power  and  Ability  to 
-  keep  it. 

2.  The  fame  Law  that  was  firft  written  in  the 
Heart  of  Man  {d)  continued  to  be  a  perfect  Rule  of 
Righteoufnefs   after  the   Fall,  and  was  delivered  by 

J^  God  upon  Mount  S'lnai^  in  [e)  Ten  Commandments, 
/    and  written  in  two  Tables,  the  four  firft  containing 
our  Duty   towards  God,  and  the  other  fix  our  Dutjr^ 
to  Man.  ^  ■■ 

3.  Befidesthis  Law,  commonly  called  Moral,  _God 
was  pleafed  to  give  to  the  People  of  Ifrael  Ceremoni- 
al   Laws,     containing    feveral    typical    Ordinances, 

t partly  of  Woriliip,  [f)  prefiguring  Chrift,  his  Gra- 
ces, A6l:i  ns,  Sufferings,  and  Benefits;  and  partly 
holding  forth  divers  Initrudions  (g)  of  Moral  Duties, 
all  which  Ceremonial  Laws  being  appointed  only  to 
the  Time  o^  Reformation,  are,  by  Jefus  Chrift  the 
true  Meiliah,  and  only  Law-giver,  v/ho  was  furnifh- 
ed  with  Power  from  the  Father  for  that  end,  {h)  a- 
brogated  and  taken  away.  , 

4.  To  them   alfo  he  gave  fundry  Judicial  Law?, 
I    which  expired  together  with  the  State  of  that  People, 

-J    not  obliging  any  now  by  virtue  of  that  Lnflitution  y 
their  general  (?)  Equity  only  being  of  moral  Ufe. 

5.  The   Moral  Law  doth  for  ever  bind  all,   (X)  as 
/'Veil  judified    Perfons  as  other^;,    to  the  Obedience 

/   thereof,  and  that  not  only  in   regard  of  the  Matter 

/     contained  in  it,  but  alfo  in  refpe6t  of  the  (/)  Autho- 

[      rity  of  God  the  Creator,  who  gave  it ;  neither  dotli" 

Chrlji  in  the  Gofpel  any  way  diffolvc,  (:'?z)  but  mucli 

f^rcngthen  this  Obligation. 

6.  Although  true  Believers  be  not  under  the  Law, 
as  a  Covenant  of  Works,  (n)  to  be  thereby  juftified 

Vr  D  3  or 

(V)  Rom,  ^.  14,  i5.(c^)  Dcut.  104.  (/)  Heb,  10.  i.  Col.  a.  17, 
;;)  I  Cor.  5.  7.  (/;)  Col.  ^.  14,  16.  17,  Eph.  i.  14,  icT.  (V)  i 
Cor  9.8,9,  ic».(A')Rom.  13.  8,  9,  10.  James  z.  8,'ic*.  Iz^'iz.  (/> 
James  i.  10,  ir.  (;«)  Matt.  5.  17,  »8,  19.  Rom..^^.  31.  («)  Rom 
5,    14.   Gal.  j.i$.   R.q;ii,   8.  i,   Cbap.    lo.   d. 


34  OJ  the  Law  cf  Gcdy 

er  condemned,  yet  it  is  of  great  Ufe  to  them,  as  well 
2s  to  others,  in  that,  as  a  Rule  of  Life,  informing 
them  of  the  Will  of  God,  and  their  Duty,  it  direds 
and  binds  them  to  walk  accordingly  ;  {o)  difcbvering 
a|fo  the  fmful  Pollutions  of  their  Natures,  Hearts 
and  Lives,  fo  as  examining  themfelves  thereby,  they 
may  come  to  further  conviction  of,  humiliation  for, 
and  hatred  againft  Sin;  together  with  a  clearer  Sight  of 
the  Need  they  have  of  Chrift,  and  the  Perfeftion  of 
his  Obedience  :  It  is  likewife  of  Ufe  to  the  Regenerate, 
to  reftrain  their  Corruptions,  in  that  it  forbids  Sin  ; 
tmd  the  threatnings  of  it  ferve  to  fhew  what  even  their 
Sins  deferve,  and  what  AfHi6Hons  in  this  Life  they 
may  expedl  for  them,  although  freed  from  the  Curfe 
and  unallayed  Rigour  thereof,  ThefePromifcs  of  it  likt- 
wife  fhew  them  God*s  Approbation  ofObedience.and 
whatlileffings  theymayexpe6t  the  Performance  thereof, 
though  not  as  due  to  them  by  the  Law  as  a  Covenant 
of  Works;  fo  as  Adan^s  doing  Good,  and  refraining 
from  Evil,  becaufetheLaw  incourageth  to  the  one,  Tind 
detereth  from  the  other,  is  no  Evidence  of  his  being 
ip)  under  the  Law,  and  not  under  Grace. 

7.  Neither  are  the  forem.entioned  Ufes  of  the  Law 
{q)  contrary  to  the  Grace  of  thc.Gofpel,  but  do  fweer- 
Iv  comply  with  it,  the  Spirit  of  ChrlJ}  fubduing  (r) 
rmd  inabiing  the  \\'\\\  of  Man  to  do  that  freely  and 
<  hcarfully,  \vh.ich  the  Will  cf  Gcd,  revealed  in  the 
Law,  requireth  to  be  done. 

C  H  A  P. 


(^)  Rom.  3.  ao.  Chnp.    77.  &c,  (ft)  Rom.    6.    ta,    13,  14. 
Pet.    3.  ?,—  13.  (^)  GJ.  3-  ^i'  ('■)  ^^^^-  37.  2» 


[     35    ] 

c  n  A  p.    XX. 

-^    OfUhe  Gospel,  and  of  the  Extent  sf  the 
Grace  thereof. 

I.   ryr\  H  E     Covenant  of  Works  being  broken 
J_       by    Sin,  and  made  unprofitable  unto  IJfe, 
•    God   was   pleafed  to  ^ive  forth  the  Promife  of  Chrtji^ 
{     \a)  the  Seed  of  the  Woman,  as  the  Means  of  calling 
*•-     the   Elect,  and  begetting  in  them  faith  and  Repent- 
ance ;   in  this  Promife,  the  [b)  Gofpel,  as  to  the  Sub- 
fbnceofit,  was   revealed,  and  therein  efFedual,  for 
the  Converfion  and  Salvation  of  Sinners. 

2.  This  Promife  o^  Chriji  and  Salvation  by  him,  is 
re\'eaied  only  by  [c]  the  Word  of  God  ;  neither  do  the 

t  Works  of  Creation,  or  Providence,  with  the  Light  of 
■\  Nature,  (^)  make  Difcovery  of  Chrift,  or  of  Grace  by 
him,  (o  much  as  in  a  general,  or  obfcure  Way  :  much 
lefs,  that  Men  deftitutc  of  the  Revelation  of  him  by  the 
Promife,  orGofpel,  [e)  fhould  be  enabled  thereby,  to 
attain  faving   Faith,  or  Repentance. 

3.  The  Revelation  ot  the  Gofpel  unto  Sinners, 
made  in  divers  Times,  and  by  fundry  Parts,  with 
the  Addition  ofPromifes,  and  Precepts,  for  the  Obe- 
dience required  therein,  as  to  the  Nations,  and  Per- 
fons,  to  whom  it  is  granted,  is  mecrly  of  the  (f) 
Sovereign  Will  and  good  Pleafufe  of  God,  not  be- 
ing annexed  by  virtue  of  any  Promife^  to  the  due  Im- 
provement of  Men's  natural  Abilities,  by  virtue  of 
common  Light  received  without  it ;  which  none  ever  j 

did 

(ff>  Gen,  3.  J5.  (;!')  Rev.  1%.  8.  (c)  Rom.  i.  17.  (d) 
Rom.  to.  14,  15,  17.  Prov.  zp.  18,  Ifa.  ij.  7.  with  Ch,  <Jo.  *, 
3.  if)   Pfalin    147.  10.  A6ls    i4.   7. 


30  Ofihi  Go/pel,  &c. 

did  [g)  make,  or  can  fo  do:  And  therefore  in  all 
ages  the  Preaching  of  the  Gofpel  hath  been  gianted 
unto  Perfons  and  Nations,  as  to  the  Extent,  or 
Streiahtning  of  it,  in  threat  Variety,  according  to  the 
Counfelofthe  Will  of  God. 

4.  Although  the  Gofpel  be  the  only  outward 
Means  of  revealing  Chrift,  and  faving  Grace,  and  is, 
as  fiich,  abundantly  fufficient  thereunto;  yet  that 
Men,  who  are  dead  in  TrefpafTes,  may  be  Born  again, 
Qiiickned  or  Regenerated,  there  is  moreover  neceltary, 
an  effe6tual  infuperable  (/;)  Work  of  the  Holy  Spirit^ 
upon  the  whole  Soul,  for  the  Producing  in  them 
a  new  Spiritual  Life  :  without  which  no  other  Means 
will  effcd;  (i)   their  Ccnverfion  unio  God. 


CHAP.       XXI. 

Q/*  C  H  R  I  s  T  I  A  N  Liberty,  aiid  Liberty     . 
of  Conscience.- 

/    I.   f  ■  i  H  E     Liberty  which  Chrijl  hath  purchaf- 
f  JL       ed  for   Believers  under  the  Gofpel,  confifts 

in  their  Freedom  from  the  Guilt  of  Sin,  the  condemn- 
ing \Viath   of  God,  the  Rigour  and  [a)  Curfe  of  the   . 
Law,  and  in    their    being  delivered  from  this  prefent 
"Evil   {b)    World,   Bondage  to  (c)  Satan,  and  Domi-     *! 
nion  (d)   of  Sin,^from  the   [e)    Evil   of  AfHi£tions, 
the  Fear,  and  Sting  (Z')  of  Death,  the  Victory  of  the       • 
Grave,  and    [g)  Everlafting  Damnation  ;  as  alfo  in       : 
I    their  (/;)  free  Accefs  to  God,  and  their  yielding  Obe-       j 
y  dience      k 

(g)    Rom.   I.   18,    5cc.  (/;)  Plalm  110.   3,    i    Cor.  i.   14.  Eph.  -^ 
I.    19,    xo    (f)  John    6.  44.    z    Cor.  4.    4,  6.    (a)  Gal.    3.   13.  (3) 
Gal.    1.4.    f f)  Afts    z6.  18.   (r/)  Rom.    8.    3.    (f)    Rom.    8.    z8. 
(y)  X  Cor.  15  .  54,  55,S<5,  $7-  (^)  3,The(l.  i,  lo.  f /;)  Rom.  8.  tS-  . 


Of  Chrtftian  Liberty  and  Liberty  of  Cmfc'ience.     37 

dience  unto  him,  rrot  out  of  a  flavifli   Fear,  (/)   but 
a  Child  like   Love,  and   willing   Mind. 

All  which  were  common  alfo  to  Believers  under 
the  Law  {k)  for  the  Subftance  of  them  ;  but  \inder 
the  New  Teftament,/the  Liberty  of  Chriftians  is' 
further  enlarged  in  their  Freedom  from  the  Yoke  of 
the  Ceremonial  Law,  to  which  the  Jewijh  Church 
was  fubjeded,  and  in  greater  Boldnefs  of  Accefs  to 
the  Throne  of  Grace,  and  in  fuller  Communications 
of  the  (/)  Free  Spirit  of  God,  than  Believers  under 
the  Law  did  ordinarily  partake  of.  ^'  •-      y 

2.  God  alone  is  (w)  Lord  of  the  Gonfclence,  and  j 
hath  left  it  free  fiom  the  Do6lrines  and  Command-  I 
merits  of  Men  (;z)  which  are  in  any  Thing  contrary  / 
to  his  Word,  or  not  contained  in  it.  So  that  to  be-  ) 
lieve  fuch  DocStrines,  or  Obey  fuch  Commands  out  1 
ofConfcience  [0)  is  to  betray  true  Liberty  of  Con-  I 
fcience;  and  the  Requiring  o^  an  [p)  implicit  Faith, 
and  abfolute  and  blind  Obedience,  is  to  deftroy  Li-  I 
berty  ofConfcience  and  Reafon  alfo. 

3.  They   who,  upon  Pretence  of  Chriftian  Liber-    ■ 
t)\,  do  pradif<^any  Sin,  or  cherifh   any  finful  LufJ-,' 
as   they  do  thdeby  pervert    the  main  Defign  of  the 
Grace  of  the  Gofpel,  [q)  to  their  own  Dcftrudlion, 

fo  they  wholly  deftroy  (r)  the  End  of  Chriftian  Liber- 4^ 
ty  ;  which  is,  that,  being  delivered  out  of  the  Hands 
ot"all  our  Enemies,  v/e  might  ferve  the  Lord  without^  ^ 
Fear,  in  Holinefs  and  Righteoufnefs  before'him,  all**  ^ 
the  Days  of  our  Lives.      "  "*'  * 

_^  en  A  p.  . 


(/■)Lukci.   75.   I.John   4.    18.   {k)   Gal.    3.   9,  14.  (/)  John.  7. 
38,  39.   ?Ieb.  lo.   19,  io,  zi.  (7?;)  Jarn.  4.  i%.  Roni.  14.  4.  [n)  A^W 
4     19.  &  5.   i&.    I  Cor.    7,    13.  Matt    15.  9.   {0)  Col.  X.  zo,  zx,  J  j. 
■;.?)    I   Cor.    3.    J.    iCor.  I.   14.  (^)  Rom.  6.    i,  1,  (r)  Gal  j.  i  3. 
*  Pet.    i.   i8,    ii. 


L     3^     ] 

C    HAP.      XXII. 
Of  Religious  Worship  and  the  Sabbath  Day. 

H  E     Light  of  Natureffhews  that  there  \ 
is  a  God,    who  hath  Lordfhip  and  Sove-  i 
over    all ;    is    Juft,  Good,  and    doth  Good    \ 
;  and  is  therefore  to  be  feared,  loved,  praif- 
ed,  called  upon,  trufted  in,  and  ferved,  with  ail  the     \ 
\    Heart,  and  all  the  Soul  [a)  and  with  all  the   Might.      I 
I    But  the  acceptable  Way  of  Worfhipping  the  true     | 
God,  is  (b)  inftituted  by  himfelf,  and   fo  limited   by 
his  own  revealed  Will,  that  he  may  not  be  worfhippcd     / 
according  to  the  Imaginations  and  Devices  of  Men, 
or   the    Suggeftions    of  Satan,  under  any  vifible  Re- 
prefentations,  or  (c)  any  other  Way^  not  prefcribed 
\rn  the  Holy  Scriptures. 

2.  Religious  IVorJhip  is  to  be  given  4to  God  the  Fa- 
I  ther^  iSiJw  and  Holy  Sp-irit^  and  to  him  [d)  alone  ;ynot 
'    tfO   Angels^    Saiuts,  or  any   oth€i\  (e)  Creaiures^and 

/di nee  the    Fall,    not   without    a   ( /)    Mediator^  nor 
in     the    Mediation    of    any    other    but     (g)    Chrift 
y^lone. 

3.  Prayer  with  Thankfulnefs,  beifig  one  fpecial 
^  Part  of  Najiral  Vv^orfliip,   is  by  God    required  of  {h) 

all  Men.  '^ut  that  it  mav  be  accepted,  it  is  to  be 
m?.de  in-  the  (i)  Name  of  the  Son,  by  the  Help  [k) 
of  the  Spirit,  according  to  (/)  his  Will  ;  with  Un- 

derftandinc;. 


e 


(7)  Jer.  10.  7  Mark.  \z.  33.  {h)  Dcut.  Tz.  31-  C*^)  Exod.  ao.  4. 
.<;,  6.  {£)  Math  4.  9,  10.  John.  6.  z?.  Matt.  z8.  19.  (0  Rom.  i. 
as.  CoT.  1.  18.  Rev  19.  10.  (/)  John  14.  <S-  ig)  '  '^^'■^  »  ^• 
{h)  Pfalni  95-  i,  7.  Plalm  65.  *.  (»)  Joan  14.13,14.  {K  Rom  8.  i<5. 
(/)  z.  John  5.   14. 


Gj  Religious  Worjhip  &c.  3^) 

/  der Handing,  Reverence,  Humility,  Fervency,  Faith,  | 
I    I^ove,     and    Perfeverance 9     and,    with  others^,  in  a/ 
(w)  known  Tongue,  ^ 

4.  Praver   is  to  be  made  for  Things  lawful,  and- 
,     for  all   Sorts  of  Men  living,    («)    or  that  fhall  live 
_    hereafter;  but  not  [0)  for  the  Dead,  nor  for  thofe  of 
whom   it  may  be  knovv'n,  that  they  have  finned   [p) 
the  Sin  unto  Death. 

^.  The  ^^)  Reading  of  the  Scriptures,  Preaching, 
/and  (r)  Hearing  the  Word  of  God,  teaching  and  ad- 
'    monifhing  one  another  in  Pfalms,  Hymns,  and  Spi- 
ritual Songs,   Singing  v/ith  Grace  in  ciir  Hearts  to  (s") 
the  Lord  ;  as  alfo  the  Adminiftration  (/)  of  Baptifm, 
and  [u)  the  Lord's  Supper,  are  all  Parts  of  Religious 
Woifhip  of  God,  to  be  performed    in  Obedience   to 
him,    with   Underftanding,    Faith,    Reverence,  and 
Godly   Fear ;     moreover.  Solemn    Humiliation,   (a*) 
with  Fadings,  and   Thankfgivi^,   upon    [y)  fpecial 
Occafions,  ought  to  be  ufed   in  an  holy  and  religious 
Manner. 
L^  6.  Neither  Prayer,  nor  any  other  Part  of  religious 
TvVorfhip,  is   now,   under  the  Gofpel,  tied  unto,  or 
(    made  more  acceptable  by  any  Place  in  which  it  is  (z) 
performed,  or  towards  which  it  is  directed  5   but  God 
is  to  be    worfhipped   every  where  in   Spirit,  and   in 
Truths  as  in  (^)  private  Families  {h)  daily  and  (<:)  in 
fecret  each    one  by  himfelf,  fo  more  folemnly  in  the 
Publick  Aflemblies,    which   are   not    carelefly,    nor 
wilfully,    to   be   {d)   neglected   or    forfakcn,    when 
,     God  by  his  Word  or  Providence  calleth  thereunto. 
^•'y.  As  it  is  of  the  Law  of  Nature,  that  in  general, 

a 

(;«)  1  (.>or.  14.  \6y  17.  (11)  I  Tim.  t.  i,  z.  %  Sam.  7.  ip  [0) 
X  Sam.  IX.  ii,  2z,  x3.  (p)  i  John  5.  \C.  {cj)  i  Tim  4.  13.  (r) 
X  Tim.  4.  i.  Luke  8.  18.  (f)  Col.  3. 16.  Epn.  5.  19.  (/)  Matt.  28. 
•19,  70. (tt)  I  Cor.  15.  x6.  (x)  Efth  4.  16.  .Joel  x.  \x.  (y)  ij. 
I.  ire.  Pfalm  107.  (t)  Joh.  4.  x\.  Mai.  i.  11.  i  Tim.  x.  8.  (a\ 
KOis  10.  x.{h)  Matt.  6.  jr.  Pfal-  55.  17,  (r)  Mat.  6.  6{d)  Hfb. 
10. ij.  Afts   z.  Z4. 


40  Of  Religious    JForfhlp 

2l  Proportion  of  Time,  by  God's  Appointment  be 
fet  apart  for  the  Worfliip  of  God,  fo  by  his  Word, 
in  a  polltlve,  moral,  and  perpetual  Commandment, 
inding  all  Men,  in  all  Ages,  he  hath  particularly 
_  appointed  one  Day  in  Seven  for  a  [e)  Sabbath  to  be 
kept  holy  unto  him,  which  from  the  Beginning  of 
the  World,  to  the  RefurreiSlion  of  Chrift,  was  the 
laft  Day  of  the  W^eek  ;  and  from  the  Refurreflion  of 
Chrift,  was  changed  into  the  firft  Day  of  the  Week, 
(f)  which  is  called  the  Lord's  Day  ;  and  is  to  be 
continued  to  the  End  of  the  World,  as  the  Chriftian 
Sabbath  ;  the  Obfervation  of  the  Laft  Day  of  the 
Week  being  abolifhed. 

8.  The  Sabbath  is  then  kept  holy  unto  the  Lord, 
when  Men,  after  a  due  Preparing  of  their  Hearts, 
and  ordering  their  common  Affairs  aforehand,  do 
not  only  obferve  an  holy  (g)  Reft  all  the  Day,  from 
their  own  Works,  ^ords  and  Thoughts,  about  their 
worldly  Employment  and  Recreations,  but  alfo  are 
taken  up  the  whole  Time  in  the  publick  and  private 
Exercifes  of  his  Worfhip  and  in  the  Duties  {h)  of  Ne- 
ceiTity  and  Mercy. 

CHAP.    xxin. 

Of    Singing    of    Psalms,    kt,         | 

WE  believe  that  [a)  finglngihe  Pratfes  cfGod^  is*-^ 
a  holy  Ordinance  of  Chrift,  and  not  a  Part 
of  Natural    Religion,    or  a   moral  duty  only;  but 
that  it  is  brought  under  Divine  Inftitution,  it  being 

injoined 


(f)  Exotl.  10.  8.  (/)  I  Cor.  16.  i,  x.  Afts  xo,  7.  Rev.  i.  io« 
{g)  Ifa.  s8.  13.  Neh.  13..  15,  »3.  (h)  Mat.  i*.  i,  13.  («)  A^s  i<f. 
aS.Eph.  |.  19-  Col.  3.  i(S. 


.    Oj   ^:ng:>:-  of  Pfabis,  Scc.  41 

injoined  on  the  Churches  of  Chrift  to  fing  Pfalms, 
Hvmns,  and  Spiritual  Songs  ;  and  that  the  whole 
Church  in  their  Publick  Affemblies  fas  well  as  pri- 
vate Chrlftians)  ought  to  (})  ftng  God's  Praiics  accord- 
in'-  to  the  bcft  Light  they  have  received.  Moreover, 
it  was  praaifed  in  the  great  Reprefentative  Church, 
by  (0  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift  with  his  Difciples,  after 
he  had  inftituted  and  celebrated  the  Sacred  Ordinance 
of  h.is  Holy  Supper,  as  a  commemotive  Token  of 
Redeeming  Love. 

J^     CHAP.      XXIV 

O/^  L  A  w  F  u  L    Oaths    and    V  o  w  s. 

I.  \  LAWFUL  Oath  is  a  Part  of  Religious 
r\^  Worfnip,  (a)  wherein  the  Peifon  fwearing 
in  FriMh,  Righteoufnefs,  and  Judgment,  fvlemnly 
calleth  Cjod  to.witnefs  what  he  fweareth  f  (1^3fftHo 
judge  him  according  to  the  Truth  or  Falfenefs  there- 
of. 

2.  The  Name  of  God  only  is  that  by  which  Men 
oug;ht  to  fwear  ;  and  therein  it  is  to  be  ufed  with  all 
Holy  Fear  and  Reverence ;  therefore  to  fv/ear  vainly 
or  rafhly  by  that  glorious  and  dreadful  Name,  or  to 
fwear  at  all  by  any  other  Thing,  is  fmful  and  to  be 
(t)  abhorred  ;  yet  as  in  Matter  of  Weight  and  Mo- 
rr4ent,  tor  Confirmation  of  Truth,  (<r/)  and  ending  all 
Strife,  an  Oath  is  warranted  by  the  Word  of  God  ; 
fo  a  lawful  Oath  being  impofed,  (e)  by  lawful  Au- 
thority, in  fuch  Matters,  ought  to  be  taken. 

E  3.  Whofoever 


{b)  Heb.  a.  rz.  Jam.  5.  13.  (c)  Mat.  ^6.  30.  Mat.  14.  x6.  (a) 
Ex'ul.  io,  7.  Deut.  10.  lo.  Jer.  4  i.  {b)  3.  Chron.  6.  ai,  aj.  (^c\ 
Mr    c.  i.j,  37.  Jam.  j.  iz..  (d)  Heb,  6.  i(?.  a  Cor.  i.  13.  {e)  Nch, 


4  2  Of  La  uuful  Oaths  and  Vc  ivs , 

3.  Whofoever  taketh  an  Oath,  warrantcJ  by  the 
Word  of  God,  ought  duly  to  confider,  the  Weiahti- 
nefs  of  lb  folemn  an  Ad,  and  therein  to  a vouclf  no- 
thing but  what  he  knov/eth  to  be  the  Truth;  for 
that  by  raih,  falfe,  and  vain  Oaths,  the  f/J  Lord  is 
provoked,  and  for  them  this  Land  mourns. 

4.  An  Oath  is  to  be  taken  in  the  plain  and  (g) 
common  Senfe  of  the  Words,  without  Equivocation, 
or  mental  Refervation. 

5.  A  Vow,  which  is  not  to  be  made  to  any  Crea- 
ture, but  to  God  alone,  {h)  is  to  be  made  and  per- 
formed with  all  religious  Care  and  Faithfulnefs  :  But 
Popifh  Monaftical  Vows,  (/)  of  perpetual  fingle  Life, 
profeiled  (/')  Poverty,  and  regular  Obcdiei»ce,  are  fo 
far  from  being  Degrees  of  higher  Perfediw,  that 
they  are"*n|p^rfiitious,  (/)  and  finful  Snares,  iTi  which 
no  Chi'iftian  may  entangle  himfclf. 

CHAP.      XXV. 


Of  the  C  I  V  I  L   Magistrate. 

I,  ^^  O  D,  the  Supreme  Lord,  and  King  of  all  the 
IjP"  World,  hath  ordained  Civil  [a)  MagiOrates 
to  be  under  him,  over  the  People,  for  his  own  Glory, 
and  the  publick  Good  ;  and  to  this  End  hath  armed 
them  with  the  Power  of  the  Sword,  for  Defence  and 
Encouragement  of  them  that  do  Good,  and  for  the 
Puniiliment  of  Evil  Doers. 

2.  It  is  lawful  for  Chriftians  to  accept  and  execute 
the  Office  of  a  Magiftrate,  when  called  thereunto  j 
in  the  Mafiagement  whereof,  as  they  ought  efpecially 

to 


(/)  Lev.  19.  li.  Jer.  23.  lo.  {g)  Pjalm  14.  4-  (^')  P^al»^  7<>- 
Gen.  z8.  :.o,  ii,  a:i,.  (J)  I  Cor.'?.  z,9.  (^)Eph.4.  »8,  (/)?•-: 
.  ;.  I ;         -  Rom.  13   r?  *>  3,  4. 


Of  the  Civil  Mag'ijVraw,  .^  j 

to  maintain  [b)  Juftlce,  and  Peace,  accord  in  2;  to  the 
vvholefome  Laws  of  each  Kingdom  and  Common- 
wealth :  So  for  that  end  they  may  lawfully  nov/  un- 
der the  New  Teftament  {c)  wage  War  upon  juR  and 
neceflary  Occr.fions. 

3.  Civil  Magijirates  being  fet  up  by  God,  for  the 
Endsaforefaid,  Subjedtion  in  all  lawful  Things  com- 
manded by  them,  ought  to  be  yielded  by  us  in  the 
Lord,  not  only  for  Wrath  (d)  but  for  Confcience- 
fake  ;  and  weoughtto  make  Supplications  and  Pray- 
ers for  Kings,  and  all  that  ar£  in  Authority  (e)  that 
under  them  we  may  live  a  quiet  and-  peaceable  Life, 
in  all  Godlincfs  and  Honefly. 

CHAP.       XXVI, 

Of   Marriage. 


'a7i 
1  c_  . 


I.  ]\  yf"  A  R  R  I  A  G  E  is  to  be  between  one  Mc 

IVx  ^"d  o-'^'^  JVoman  ;  {a)  neither  is  \i  iawfiil  Li 
any  M^:i  to  ha^^e  more  than  one  JVife^  nor  for  any 
IVoman  to  lihvC  more  than  one  Hufband  at  the  fame 
7'ime. 

2.  iVIarriave  was  ordained  for  the  mutual  Flelp  (/;) 
o'i  HiiJb-ind.\vA  IVife^  {c)  for  the  Incrcafe  of  Mankind 
with  a  legitimate  IlTue,  and  for  (J)  preventinc:  of  Un- 
cleannefs. 

3.  It  is  lawful  for  {e)  all  Sorts  of  People  to  y^/o7rr;', 
who  are  able  with  Judgment  to  give  their  Ccnfent ; 
yet  it  is  the  Duty  o^  CLrlfiians  (/)  to  Marry  in  the 
Lord  ',  and  therefore  fuch  as  profefs  the  true  Reli^^on, 

^__ E__2 fhould 

CbJ  i  Sam.  z,.  3.  I'falm.  8x.  3,  4      (c)  Lake  3.  '1^.  (d)   Rom 

'  ^  S,  6,  7.   I  Pet.  2.  J 7   (f)  I  Tim    z.  i,  x.   (tf)  Gen.  v  14.    Mai. 

IS'  Mnt.  19.  s,  6.  lb)  Gen..2.  18.  (c)  Gen.  i.  j&.  (dYt  Cor  7 

X,  -.    :^j  He!),  I5..^.    1  Tim.4.  13-     C/"^iO-.  ^.    :.' 


44-  Of  Marriage. 

fhould  not  Marry  with  Infidels,  ( ^^  or  Idolaters  ; 
neither  fhould  fuch  as  are  godly  be  QnequaJly  yoked,' 
by  Marrying  with  fuch  as  are  wicked  in  their  Life, 
Of  maintain  damnable  Herefie. 

^4.  Marriage  ought  not  to  be  within  the  Dec;rees 
of  Confanguinity  (/^)  or  ^Affinity,  forbidden  in' the 
Word  ;  nor  can  fuch  inceftous  Marriage  ever  be 
made  lawful,  by  any  Law  of  Man  or  Confent  of  Par- 
ties, (/)  fo  as  thofe  Perfons  may  live  together  as  Man 
and  Wife. 

CHAP.      XXVII. 

Gf  /.C'c?   C    H    U    R    C    H. 


/ 


I.  r#^  K  E  Cathohck'  or  UnivLiTai  Church,  which 
\^  fwith  rel^ecSt  to  the  internal  Work  of  the 
Spirit  and  Truth  of  Grace)  may  be  called  Invifxblc, 
|:onfifts  of  the  whole  {a)  Number  of  the  Ele<?i:,  that 
have  bter,  arc,  or  iliall  be  gathered  into  one,  under 
Chrift,  the  Head  thereof:  aiid  is  the  Spoufe,  the 
Body,  the  Fuinefsof  Him  that  filleth  a'l  in  all. 

2.  All  Perfons,  throughout  the  World,  profefTing 
the  Faith  of  the  Gofpel,  and  Obedience  unto  God' by 
Chrift,  according  unto  it,  not  deOroving  their  ov^n 
I^rofeijion  by  any  Errors  everting  the  Foundation,  or 
Unholinefs  of  Converfation,  {b)  '\xq.  and  may  be  call- 
ed vifible  Saints  ;  {c)  and  of  fuch  ought  all  particular 
Congregations  to  be  conftituted. 

*2'  The  pureft  Churches  under  Heaven  are  fubje«5l 
d)  to  Mixture,  and  Error  j    and  fonie  have  {o  dege- 
nerated 

(^e)  Neh.  13.  as,  z6,  27.  (/')  Lev.  18.  (;)  Mat.  6.18.  i  Cor.  s  t- 
(rt)"Heb.  iz.  z3.  Col.  i.  18.  Eph.  i.  10,  zi,  23,  and  ch:p.  s-  i3» 
a7,  3z.  (/>)  I  Cor.  I.  x.  A£Vs  11.  z<5.  (c)  Ruin.  i.  7.  Epli.  i.  iC,Ji. 
2i.  (i/)  I  Cor.  15.  Re\-.  z  aiul  chap.  3. 


Of  the  Church,  ^45 

nenteJ  as  to  become  {e)  no  Churches  of  Chrift,  but 
Syna^^o^ues  of  ^atan  ;  neverthelefs  Chrift  always  hath 
had,  ?nd  everfnall  have  a (/)  Kingdom  in  this  World, 
to  the  End  thereof,  of  fuch  as  believe  in  him,  and 
make  ProfeiTion  of  his  Name. 

'  4.  The  Lord  Jefus  Chrift  is  the  Head  of  the 
Church,  in  v/hom,  bv  the  Appointment  of  the  fa- 
ther, {g)  all  Power  foV  the  Calling,  Inftitution,  Or- 
der, or  Government  of  the  Chu.ch,  is  invefled  in  a 
fupreme  and  fovereign  Manner«t neither  can  the  Pope 
oF  ^me  in  any  {^v\it  be  Head  thereof,  but  is  (/;)  that 
Antichrifl,  that  Man  of  Sin,  and  %ox\  oi  Perdition^ 
tUat  exalteth  himfelf  in  the  Church  againft  Chrift, 
and  all  that  is  called  God  ;  whom  the  Lord  fhall  de- 
ftroy  with  the  Brigbtnefs  of  his  Coming. 

5.  In  the  Execution  of  this  Power  wherewith  he 
is  fo  intruded,  the  Lord  Jefus  calleth,  out  of  the 
World  unto  himfelf,  through,  the  Miniftry  of  his 
Word  by  his  Spirit,  (/)  thofe  that  are  given  unt« 
him,  by  his  Father,  that  they  may  walk  before  him 
in  all  the  {k)  ways  of  Obedience,  which  he  prefcrib- 
(th  to  them  in' his  Word.  Thofe  thus  called,  he 
commandeth  to  v/alk.  together  in  particular  Societies, 
or  (/j  Churches,  for  their  mutual  Edification  and 
the  Q^\x^  Performance  ot  that  publiclc  Worinip,  which 
he  requireth  of  them  in  the  World.  j 

6.  The  Members  of  thefe  Churches  arc  (m)  Saints  •■ 
by  Calling,  vifibly  manifeiiing  and  evidencing  in  and 
by  their  Frofeffion  and  Walking,  their  Obedience 
nnto  that  Call  of  Chriil ;  and  do  willingly  confent  to 
walk  together  according  to  the  Appointment  of 
Chrift,  giving  up  themfelves  to  the  Lord  and  one  to 
another,  by  the  Will  of  God,  (;/)  in  profefled  Sub- 
jedtion  to  the  Ordinances  of  the  Gofpel.  7.  To 

(0  Rev.  i8.  X.  i  Their  z.  ii,  iz.  (/)  Mat.  16.  18.  Pfa.  72.17. 
.J-Pfalm  loz.  z8.  Rev.  iz.  iy.  {g)  Col.  i-  18.  Mat.  18.  19,  12, z6. 
i^.ph.4.  II,  IX  (.^)  z  Thef.  z.  z,— p.  {])  John  lo.  xG.  -'&'chap  iz, 
vi.  ik)  Mat.  z8.  zo.  (\)  Mat.  18.  15,  zo.  (w)  Rom,  i.  7.  i  Co^, 
J.  i.  X«)  Aas  J.  41,  4:,.  chap.  c.  13,  14.  2,  Cor.  p.  13. 


V 


the' 


Of  the  Church, 

7.  To  each  of  thefe  Churches  thus  gathered  ac- 
cording to  his  Mind,  declared  in  his  Word,  .he  hath 
given  all  that  (0)  Power  and  Authority,  which  is  any 
way  needful  for  their  carrying  on  that  Order  in  Wor- 
fhip  and  Difcipline,  which  he  hath  inflituted  for 
them  to  obferve,  with  Commands  and  Rules,  for  the 
due  and  right  exerting  and  executing  of  that  Power, 

8.  A  particular  Church  gathered,  and  compleatly 
organized   according  to  the  Mind  of  Chrijl^  confift 
of  Officers  and  MemT)ers  :   And  the  Officers  appoint 
ed  by  Chrijl  to  bechofen  and  fet  apart  by  theChurc^ 
((o  called  and  gathered)  for  the  peculiar  Adminiftra- 
tion  of  Ordinances,  and  Execution  of  Power,  or  Du- 

which  he  intrufts  them  with,  or  calls  them  (o,  to  '^ 
be  continued  to  the   End  of  tlie  World,  are  [p)  Bi- 
fhops,  or  Elders  and  Deacons. 

9.  The  Way  appointed  by  C/T/y?  for  the  Callinn; 
ot  any  Perfon,  fit?ed  and  g\hQ(\  by  the  Holy  Spiri:, 
imtothe  Oliice  of  Bifhop,  or  Elder,  in  a  Church,  i:-, 
that  he  be  chofen  thereunto  by  the  common  (^^^j  Suf- 
frage of  the  Church  itfelf;  and  folemnly  fct  apart  b. 
Failing  and  Prayer,  with  Impofition  of  Hands  of  the 
(r)  ElderOiip  of  the  Church,  if  there  be  any  before 
conftituted  therein  :  And  of  a  Deacon  (;)  that  he  be 
chofen- by  the  like  Suffrage,  and  fet  apart  by  Prayer, 
and  the  like  Impofition  of  Hand?,. 

10.  The  Work  of  Pallors  being  conftantly  to  at- 
tend the  Service  of  Chrifl^.  in  his  Churches,  in  the 
Minillry  of  the  Word,  and  Prayer,  {'i)  with  Watch- 
ing for  their  Souls,  as  they  that  muft  give  an  Account 
to  him  ;  it  is  incumbent  on  the  Churches  to  whom 
they  minider,  not  only  to  give  them  all  duerefpedf, 
[u)  but  alfo  to  communicate  to  them  of  all  their  good 

ings,  according  to   their  Ability,  fo  as  they  ma/ 

have 


(c)  Mat.  I  a.  17,  18.  I  Cor.  s-4,  5-  widi  verfe  ij.  x  Cor.  %.  6,  7» 
8.  ^)  A^s  ao.  17,  with  verfe  i8.  Phil.  i.  r.  {q)  Afts  14.  *?.  Soe 
the'Oi-igtrial.  (r)  i  Tim.  4.  14-  (0  A<fts  6.  3,  5,  ^.  {tj  A^ts  6.  i- 
Hcb.  13.  17.  (u)  I  Tim.  5,  17,  18.  Gal.  6.  C,  7. 


,  0/iI;e  Church.  47 

b.;;ve  a  comfortable  Supply,  without  being  themrelve^ 
;A')entanglecl  in   Secular  Affairs;  and  may  alfobe  ca- 
paJDle  of  exerciring(_);)Horpitality  towards  others  ^.amL 
rhis  is  required  by  the(2;)Law  ofNature,  andby  thetx-l 
picfs  Order  of  our  Lord  Jefus,  who  hath  ordained,  that) 
they  that  preach  the  Gofpel,  (Iiould  live  of  the  Gofpel.' 

J  I.  Although  it  be  incumbent  on  the  Bifliops  or 
Paftors  of  the  Churches,  to  be  Inftant  in  Preaching 
the  Word,  by  Way  of  Ofnce,  yet  the  Work  of 
Preaching  the  Word  is  not  fo  peculiarly  confined  to 
them,  but  that  others  alfo  [a)  gifted,  and  fitted  by 
ihe  Hoi/  Spirit  for  it,  and  approved,  and  called  by 
the  Church,  may  and  ought  to  perform  it. 

12.  As  all  Believers  arc  bound  to  join  themfelves 
fo  particular  Churches,  when  and  where  they  have 
Opportunity  {o  to  do  ;  fo  all  that  are  admitted  unto 
the  Privileges  of  a  Church,  are  alfo  [h)  under  the 
Cenfures  and  Government  thereof,  according  to  the 
Rule  ofChrift. 

No  Church-members,  upon  any  Offence  ta- 
ken ^by  them,  having  performed  their  duty  requireti 
of  them  towards  the  Perfon  tkey  are  offended  at, 
0'i2;ht  todifturb  any  Church  Order,  or  abfcnt  them- 
felves from  the  Affemblies  of  the  Church,  or  Admi« 
nif^ration   of  any  Ordinances,   upon  the  Account  of 

ch  Offence  at  any  of  their  Fellow-members,  but 
to  wait  upon  Chrl/i^  (c)  in  further  Proceeding  of  the 
Church. 

14.  As  each  Church,  and  all  the  Meml)er3  of  it, 
p.i-e  bound  to  [a)  pray  continually,  for  the  Good  an4 
Profperity  of  all  the  Churches  of  Chrij?,  in  all  Places,'^ 
and  upon  all  Occafions  to  further,  (  every  one  within 
the  Bounds  of  their  Places  and  Callings,  in  ttie  Ex- 
ercife  of  their  "Gifts    and   Graces)   fo   the  Churches 

.  (when 

{x)  z.  Tim  z.  4.  (y)  I  Tim.  3,  z.  (2)  i  Cor.  p.  C,  14  Ca) 
A€t^  IT.  ><)  lo,  ii.  r  Pet.  4.  10.  II.  (b)  I  TlicO^  <.  14.  X  Thetr. 
3.  6,  14,  IS-  (c)  Mat.  18.  15,  i^t  tj,  Epla.  4.  z,  ,  '  ']  :  o.'  q. 
i8.TAlm  li*.  <J. 


[ 


.48  O/"  the  Church. 

J  (when  planted  by  the  Providence  of  God,  lo  as  they 
I  m:iy  enjoy  Opportunity  and  Advantage  for  it)  ou[_ht 
I  to  hold  [e)  Communion  amongil  themfelves,  for 
I  their  Peace,  Incrcafj  of  Love  and  mutual  Edili- 
Vcation. 

^^    15.    Cafes  of  DiiKciiUies  or  Dlirerences,  either  in 
Point  of  j^octrineor  Adn^inillration  ;   wherein    either 
the  Churches  in  general  are  concerned,  or   any  one 
Church,   in    their    Peace,   Union,   and    EJihcatioii  ; 
or    any   Meniber,    cr  JMembers    of  any  Church  arc 
injured,  in    or    by  any  Proceedings   in  Cenfures  not 
agreeable    to  Truth  and    Order:   It   is   according  to 
the    Mind    of  Chrift,  that   many   Churches  holding    ' 
Communion  together,  do  by  their  MefTengers   nieecir 
to  coiifider,   (/")   and  give  their    Advice   in    orabout^ 
that  Mitter  in  DifFerencc,  tf>  be  reported  to  all    the 
Churchjs  concerned  ;   hovvbeit  thefe   Meffengers    af- 
fembled,  are  not  intruded  with    any  Church-power 
properly  fo  called  ;  or  with  any  Jurifdi6tion  over  the 
Churches  themfelves,  to  exercife  any  Cenfures'  either 
over   any  Churches,  or    Perfons ;   or    (^)    toimpofe' 
their  Determination  oa  the  Churches  or  Ofiicers. 

c   H   A  P.     xxvnr. 

Of  the    Communion    oJ   Saints. 

^i7  ALL  Saints  that  are  united  to  Jefus  Chrift 
f  ±X.  ^^"'^'^  Head»  by  hh  Spirit,  and  Faith,  al- 
though they  are  not  made  thereby  one  Perfon  with 
^  him,  have  (c?)  fellowfliip  in  bis  Graces,  Sufterinc^s, 
^-.-^  Death, 

(0  R.om.  16.  I,  i.  3  John  8.  9,  10.  (f)  hds  ly,  z,  4,  6.  urrd- 
ii,  i3>  fJ.  ig)  X  Cor.  I.  14.  I  John  4.  I.  (a)  1  John  i.  3.  John/ 
X.  iC.  rh:!.  3.  10.   Rom.  C.  5,  6. 


Of  the  CommuniGn  of  Sainiu  49 

Death,  Refurredion  and  Glory  ;  and  being  united- 
to  one  another  in  Love,*"  they  [b)  have  Communion 
in  each  others  Gifts  and  Graces,  and  are  obliged  to 
the  Performance  of  fuch  Duties,  publick  and  private, 
in  an  orderly  Way,  [c)  as  do  conduce  to  their  mu- 
tual Good,  both  in  the  inward  and  outward  Man. 

2.  Saints  by  ProfeHion,  are  bound  to  maintain  an 
lioly  Fellowlhip  and  Communion  in  the  Worfliip  of 
God,  and  \n  Performing  fuch  other  Spiritual  Ser- 
vices, [d)  as  tend  to  their  mutual  Edification  ;  as  alfo 
in  relieving  each  other  in  [e)  outward  Things,  accor- 
ding to  their  feveral  Abilities,  and  NccefTities;  which 
Communion  according  to  the'Rule  of  the  Gofpel  tho' 
efpccially  to  be  exercifed  by  them,  in  the  Relations 
wherein  they  ftand,  whether  in  (y) Families,  or(^) 
Churches,  yet  as  God  offcreth  Opportunity,  is  to  be 
extended  to  all  the  Houfnold  of  Faith,  even  all  thofe 
who  in  zwi^xy  Pi.ice  call  upon  the 'Name  of  tl:e  Lord 
Jefus  3  ncverthelefs  their  Communion  one  with  ano- 
ther as  Saints,  doth  not  take  away,  or  [b)  infringe  the 
Title  or  Property  which  each  Man  hath  in  his  Goods 
and   PoiTe/Tions. 


V   anc 


CHAP.        XXIX. 
O/'  B  A  p  T  I  s  M  and  the    L  o  R  d's    S  u  p  p  e  R. 


'    J3 

tution,   appointed   by  the  Lord  Jefus   the   on 

giver,   to  be  continued  in  his  Church  [a)  to  the  End 

of  the  V/oild.  o.  Thefe 


A  P  T  I  S  M  and    the  Lord's    Supper,  ar: 
Ordinances  of  pofitive  and  fo'/ereiirn  infU- 

ly  Law- 


M    Kph.  4.  15,    r6.    I  Cor.    II.  7.    I    Cr.    3.    zi.    zi,   23.  (c) 

'  ^iclT^-  S.    II,  14.   Rom.    I.    li.    I    John    3.    17,  18.  Gal.    6     10. 

Heb.    10.    i4,     25.   with  Chap.     3.    ii,  13.    (e)    Afts.  li.   njy 

r/J  Eph.  6.  4.   (^)    I  Cor.    iz.  14,  i7.   Aas  5.  4.  Eph  4.  *8. 

iViatth.  i3.   19,  io.  I   Cor.  11.  ao.  «•<-- 


50  Of  Baptifin  and  the  Lord* s  Supper. 

^2.  Thefe  holy  Appointments  are  to  be  admin  ill  red 
by  thofe  only,  who  are  qualified,  and  thereunto 
called  according  [b)  to  the  CommifTion  of  Chrift. 

CHAP      XXX. 

Of    Baptism. 

A  P  T  I  S  M  is  an  OrAkiance  of  the  New 
jLj>  Teftament,  o<-dained  Jby  Jefus  Chrift,  to 
be  unto  the  Party  baptized,  a  An  of  his  Fellowfhip 
with  him  in  his  Death  [a)  and»Refurre(Stion  ;  of  his 
being  engrafted  into  him  ;  of  ^Z')  RemiiTion  of  Sins; 
and  of  his  (c)  giving  up  unto  God,  thro'  Jefus  Chrifi:, 
to  live  and  walk  in  newuefs  of  Life. 

2.  Thofe  who  do  a6luaily  profefs  [d)  Repentance 
towards  God,  Faith  in,  and  Obedience  to  our  Lord 
Jefus,  are  the  only  proper  Subje^Sls  of  this  Ordi- 
jiation. 

3.  The  outward  Element,  to  bs  ufed  in  this  Or- 
dinance, {e)  is  Water,  wherein  the  Party  is  to  be  bap- 
tized, in  the  Name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and 
of  the  Holy  Spirit. 

4.  Immerfion,  or  Dipping  of  the  Perfon  (/)  in 
Water,  is  neceilary  to  the  due  Adminiftration  of  this 


w 


CHAP. 


('»)  Mat.  i8.  19.  1  Cor.  4-  i-  (-2)  Rom-  <?•  3  4/J-  Col.  x,  12.  Gal. 
?.  2,-,.  (b)  Mark.  i.  4.  Ads  26.  16.  (0  Ronr.  5.  24.  (d)  Mark, 
16.  16.  Aits  8.37,  38.  {c)  Mat.  iS.  19,  10,  with  Ach  8.  3S. 
{/')  Mat.   5.  t6.    John  3.   23. 


I     f  i     'I 
C     II     A     P.       XXXI. 

Of    L    A   Y    I    N    G     tf«   tf/    H    A    N    D 

WE  believe   \\\7{t  [a)  hying  on  of  Hands    (witii 
Prayer)    «/^«  haptized  Believers^  as  fuch^  is 
an   Ordinance  of  Chrift,  and  ought  to  be  fubmitted 
unto  by  all  fuch  Perfons  that  are  admitted  to  partake 
of  the  Lord's  Supper  ;  and  that  the  End  of  this  Or- 
dinance is  not  for  the  extraordinary  Gifts  of  the  Spirit, 
but  for  [b)  a  farther  Reception  of  the  Holy  Spirit  of 
Promife,  or  for  the   Addition    of  the  Graces  of  the 
Spirit,    and    the    InfliJences    thereof;     to    confirnr>, 
ftrengthen,    and    comfort  them   in  Chrift   Jefus  ;  i' 
being  ratified  and  eftablifhed  by  the  [c)  extraordinary 
Gifts  of  the  Spirit   in   the  Primitive  times,  to  abid^f - 
in  the  Church,  as  meeting  together  on  the  firf^  Day'- 
of  the  Week,  was  A^s  2.  1.  that  being  the  Day  ai 
Worfliip,orChriftian  Sabbath,  under  the Gofpel  ;  and 
as  Preaching  the  Word  was,  A^s  10.  44.  and  as  Bap- 
lif:n  was,  Mat.  3.  16.  and  Prayer  was,  A^s.  4.  31.  and 
fmging  Pfalms,    b'r.   was  Ads,   16.   25,-426^  fo J l^is  ? 
of  laying  on  of  Hands  was,  A^is.  8.  &  ch.  19.  For  as 
the  whole  Gofpel  was  confirmed  by  [d)  Signs  and  JVon'^^ 
ders^  and  divers  Miracles  and  Gifts  of  the  Hcly  Gho'f 
in  general,  fo  was  every  Ordinance  in   like  manner 
confirmed  in  particular. 

C  H  A  P.>^ 


(a)    Heb.    %.    ix.    and  6.  i,  x.  Afts  8.  17,  x8,   and  19,   6.  (h 
Eph.  I.  J3.  X4.,  (c)  A^s  €.  and  ipc  6.   {(J)  Heb.  ^.    j,  4. 


[      52      ] 

C    H    A    P.     xxxir. 

*        Of  the    L  o  R  d's    Supper. 

n.  rr^  H  E  Supper  vS  the  Lord  Jefus,  was  in- 
J^  .flitutcd  by  4i+*»s  the  (am^ljJSiight  ^wjfcrein 
he  was  beti^'^ed,  to  he  obferved  in  his  ChurchS^lj'n" 
to  the  en4  of  the  World,  for  the  p^rjietual  Remem- 
brance, and  flievving  forth  the  Sacrifice  of  himlclf  in 
hisDeath,  i^a)  Confirmation  of  the  Faith  of  Believers 
in  all  the  Benefits  thereof,  their  f^ ritual  Nourifli- 
mcnt,  and  Growth  in  him,  their  further  Ingagement 
in  and  to  all  Duties  v/hich  they  owe  unto  him  ;  [b) 
and  to  be  a  Bond  and  Pledge  of  their  Communion 
with  him,  and  with  each  other. 

L^2.  Iw    this   Ordinance  Chriit  is   not  offered   up  to 

^s  Father,  nor  any  real  Sacrifice  made  at  all'  for 
RemUTion  of  Sin,  of  the  Qi^iick  or  Dead,  but  only  a 
Memorial  of  that  (^)  one  oil-'ering  up  of  himfelf,  by 
himfelf,  upon  the  Crofs,  once  for  all  ;  and  a  Spi- 
ritual Oblation  of  all  [d)  poffiblePraife  unto  God  for 

^thefame.j^o  that  the  Popijh  Sacrifice  of  the  Mafs 
(as*lliey   call    it)    is  mofi:    abominable,    injurious  to 

LChrid's  oun  only  Sacrifice,  the  alone  Propitiation 
:^or  all  the  Sins  of  the  EIe6^. 

3.   The  Lord  Jefus  hath  in   this   Ordinance,    ap- 
pointed his  JVlinifccrs  to  Pray,  and  Blefs  the  Elements 

,  of  Bread  and   Wine,  and  thereby  to  fet  them  apart 

i  from  a  common  to  an  holv  Ufe,  and  to  take  and  break 
the  Bread  j  to  take  the  Cup  [e )  and  fthey  communi- 
cating 


{a)  I  Cor.  ri.  a^,  i4,  15,  x6.  [b)  t  Cor.  ro.  16,  17,  ?-i.  {c) 
Hcb.  9.  z5,  a<5,  z8.  {d)  1  Ccr,  n.>4,.Mat.  a6.  %0,  27.  {c)  x  Cor. 
II,  23,  Z4,  15}    i<J)  *^''<^* 


Of  the  Lord's  Supper,  5  3 

casing  al/b  thcmfelves)  to  giye  both  to  \\\t  Commu- 
nicants, 

4.  The  Denial  of  the  Cup  to  the  People,  worfhip- 

ping  the  P^iemcnts,  the  lifting  them  up,  or  carrying 

f    them  about   for  Adoration,  and   referving  them   for 

-^  any    pretended  Religious   Ufe,   (/)  are   all  contrary 

to  the  Nature  of  this  Ordinance,  and  to  the  Inftitution 

of  Chrift. 

/'^  5.  The  outward  Elements  in  this  Ordinance, 
duly  fet  apart  to  the  Ufes  ordained  by  Chrifr,  have 
fuch  Relation  to  him  crucified,  as  that  truly,  al- 
though in  Terms  ufed  figuratively,  they  are  fome- 
times  called  by  the  Name  of  the  Things  they  repre- 
fent,  to  wit,  the  (^)  Body  and  Blood  of  Ghrift,  al- 
beit in  Subftance  and  Nature,  they  ftill  rcri>ain  trul/ 
and  only  (^)  Bread  and   Wine,  as  they  were  before. 

V  ^*^  The  Doclrine  which  maintains  a  Change  of 
the  Subflanre  of  Bread  and  "Wine,  into  the  Subf[anc(!J» 
of  Chriii's  Body  and  Blood  (commonly  called  Tran- 
fubil-ntiation)  by  Confecrution  ofaPrieft,  or  by  a!;y 
other  Way,  is  repugnant  not  to  Scripture  (/)  alone, 
but  even  to  common  Senfe  and  Reafon,  overthrovv- 
cth  the  (/-)  Nature  of  the  Ordinance,  and  hath  been, 
and  i^  the  Caiife  of  manifold  Superftitions,  yen,  ofgrofs 
Idolatries. 

^  7.  Worthy  Receivers,  outwardly  partaking  of  the 
vjfible  Elements  in  this  Ordinance,  do  thea  alfo  in- 
wardly, by  Faith,  really  and  indeed,  yet  not  carnally 

^and  corporally,  but  fpiritually  receive,  and  feed  up- 
on Chilli  crucified,  (l)  and  all  the  Benefits  of  his 
Death  ;  the  Body  and  Blood  of  Chrift  being  then  not 
corporally  or  carnally,  but  fpiritually  prefent  to  the 
Faith  of3elievers  in  thatOrdinance,  as  the  Elements 
themfelves  are  to  their  outward  Senfes. 

F  8.  All 


(7)  Mat  16.  x6,  i7,i8.  Mat.  15.  9 .  Exod.zo  4,  5.  (^)  >  Cer. 
17.  It.  rf')  1  Cor.ii.  z6.  &  Ver.  28.  (i)  Adi  :?.  zr-.-Luka  i^/C.:'.^ 
Vci-spf^^  I  Cor,  II.  i4,  i5.  (/)  i  Cor.io.  x^.ch,  i^.  xj,- 


54  Of  the  Lord's  Supper, 

^  8.  Ail  ignorant  and  ungodly  Perf on s,  as  they  are 
/unfit  to  enjoy  Communion  (w)  with  Chrift,  fo  are 
they  unworthy  of  the  Lord's  Table,  and  cannot, 
without  great  Sin  againft  him,  while  they  remain 
fuch,  partake  of  thefe  Holy  IVlyfteries  {n)  or  be  ad- 
isitted  thereunto:  Yea,  whofoever  (hall  'receive  un-  • 
worthily,  are  guilty  of  the  Body  and  Blood  of  the 
Lord,  eating  and  drinking  Judgment  to  themfelves. 

CHAP.     xxxin. 

Of  the  State  of  Ma  u   after  Death,  c^id  of 
the  Resurrection  of  the  Dead. 

I.  rTf\  H  E  Bodies  of  Men  after  Death  return  to 
J^  Duft,  {a)  and  fee  Corruption ;  but  their 
Souls  (which  neither  die  or  fleep)  having  an  immortal 
Subfiftence,  immediately  {h)  return  to  God  who 
gave  them :  The  Souls  of  the  Righteous  berng 
then  made  perfedl  in  Holinefs,  are  received  into  Para- 
dife,  where  they  are  with  Chrift,  and  behold  the  Face 
of  God^  in  Light  and  [c)  Glory,  waiting  for  the 
full  Redemption  of  their  Bodies ;  and  the  Souls  of 
the  Wicked  are  caft  into  Hell,  where  they  remain 
in  Torment  and  utter  Darknefs,  referved  to  (d)  the 
Judgment  of  the  Great  Day;  bcfides  thefe  two  Pla- 
ces, for  Souls  feparated  from  their  Bodies,  the  Scrip- 
ture acknowledgeth  none. 

2.  At  the  Laft  Day,  fuch  of  the  Saints  as  are  found 
alive,  fhall  not  fleep,  but  be  {e)   changed  j  and   all 

thje 


(w)  i  Cor.  6.  14,  15-  (n)  i  Cor.  11.  19.  Mat.  7.  6.  {a)  Gen. 
3.  19.  A€ts.  13.  36.  {b)  Eccl.  IX.  7.  (c)  Luke  13.  43  %  Cor. 
5.  1,  6,  8.  Phil.  I.  13.  Heb.  iz.  13.  (^/)  Jude  6.  7.  i  Pet.  3.9. 
l.ukc  i<J.  >3.  a4.  (0  '  Cor.  15.  51,  5*.  x  Thcfli4.  »7. 


r 


Gf  the  Sate  of  Man.  hQ.  55 

the  Dead;fliall  be  ralfed  up  with  the  felf-fame  Bodies, 
and  (f)  none  other ;  although  with  different  {g) 
Qualities,  which  fhall  be  united  again  to  their  Souls 
for  ever. 

3.  The  Bodies  of  the  Unjuft  fhall,  by  the  Power 
ofChrift,  be  raifed  to  difhonour;  the  Bodies  of  the 
Juft,  by  his  Spirit,  unto  Honour,  [h)  and  be  made 
conformable  to  his  own  glorious  Body. 

CHAP.       XXXIV. 

Of  the   L  A  S  T    J  U  D  G  M  E  N  T. 

I.  ^^  O  D  hath  appointed  a  Day  wherein  he 
\J"  will  judge  the  World  in  Righteoufnefs, 
by  {a)  Jefus  Chrift ;  to  whom  all  Power  and  Judg- 
ment is  given  of  the  Father  ;  in  which  Day  not  only 
the  [b)  Apoftate  Angels  (hall  be  judged,  but  like- 
wife  all  Perfons  that  have  lived  upon  the  Earth,  (hall 
appear  before  the  Tribunal  of  Chrift,  {c)  to  give  an 
Account  of  their  Thoughts,  Words  and  Deeds,  and 
to  receive  according  to  what  they  have  done  in  the 
Body,   whether  Good  or  Evil. 

2.  The  End  of  God's  appointing  this  Day,  is, 
for  the  Manifeftation  of  the  Glory  of  his  Mercy,  in 
the  Eternal  Salvation  of  the  Elect;  [d]  and  (of  his 
JulHce,  in  the  Eternal  Damnation  of  the  Reprobate^ 
vvl.o  are  wicked  and  difobedieiit  j  for  then  fliall  the 
Righteous  go  into  Everlafting  Life,  and  receive  that 
Fulnefsof  Joy  and  Glory,  with  Everlafting  Reward, 
F  2  in 

(/)  Job   19-   i9,  27-   is)  *    ^O""-    *i-  4i,  43-    {>-)  Afts    z^.    15' 
Johns,  xfi,   2.9.   Pbil.  3.   21.   {a)    A£ts.     17.   3».  Johns-   a*,  27* 
{b)  I  Cor.  6.   3.  JuJe  6.  (c)  1  Cor.  5.   10.  Eccl.  iz.   14.   Mat  iz.. 
3*5.   Rom.   14.   10,   li.  Mai.  25.   31.    &c.  (dj    Rom.  9.    ii,  iS. 
(c-;  -Alat.  »s.  »J,   34.  i  Tim.  4.  8. 


Ac 
k  to 
Vbc 


56  Of  the  Lap  yuJg?nent. 

in  the  Prefence  {e)  of  the  Lord  :  -But  the  Wicked 
who  know  not  God,  and  obey  not  the  Gofpel  of 
Jefus  Chrifr,  fhall  be  caft  into  Eternal  Torments, 
and  (/)  punifhcd  with  Everlafting  Deftru(9:ion, 
from  the  Prefence  of  the  Lord,  and  from  the  Glory 
of  his  Power. 

3.  As  Chrift  would  have  us  to  be  certainly  per- 
fwaded,  that  there  (hall  be  a  Day  of  Judgment,  both 
(g)  to  deter  all  Men  from  Sin,  and  for  the  greater  (/;) 
Confolation  of  the  Godly,  in  their  Adverilty  fo  will 
he  have  that  Day  unknown  to  iVlen,  that  they  may 
ihake  ofFall  carnal  Security,  and  be  always  watch- 
ful, becaufe  they  know  not  at  what  Hour  the  (i) 
Lord  will  come,  and  may  ever  be  prepared  to  fay  [k) 
Come^  Lord  Jefus ^  Come  quickly.     Amen. 


(/)  Pvlat.  15.  x6.  Mark  9.  48.  x  ThcfT  i.  7,  8,  9,  10.  {g) 
a  Cor.  s.  10,  II.  (^)  i  ThefT.  i.  s,  <5,  7-  («")  Mark  13,  35,  36, 
37,  Luke  13.  35,  3^.  (k)  Kev.  zz.  xo. 


T    H 


w^^*%  *   *  *  «  *  *  *  )sc 

THE 

CONTENTS. 


C 


HAP.    I.    Of  the  Holy  Scriptures.         Page 


'■z.  Of  God  and  of  the  Holy  Trinity,        ■  5 

3.  Of  God's  Decrees,  '  7 

4.  Of  Creation.  9 

5.  Of  Di'uine  Providence.  lO 

6.  Of  the  Fall  of  Aian^of  S>in^  and  of  the  Pnnifbment 

thereof,  1 2 

7.  Of  God's  Co'-jenant.  13. 

8.  Of  Chrijl  the  Mediator,  14 

9.  Of  FrceJVilU  iB 

10.  Of ^Effetlual  Calling,  1 9 

11.  Of  yullification.  20 
7  2.  (y  Adoption.  2  2 
13.  Cy  SanHlfcation.  23 
14:  0/  Saving  Faith.  24 

15.  O/'  Repentance  unto  Life  and  Salvation  25 

16.  Of  Good  Works.  27 

17.  Of  Ferf ever ance  cf  the  Saints.  29 

18.  O/"  /^^  JJfurance  of  Grace  and  Salvation^  30 

19.  Cy  //-/^  L^w  of  God.  32 
2  0 .  0/^/;^  Gofpel^  and  of  the  Extent  oft  he  Grace  thereof.  3  5 

21.  Of  Chriftian  Liberty^  and  Liberty  of  Confcience,    36 

22.  Of  Religious  Worjhip.^  and  the  Sahbath-Day,        38 

23.  Cy  Singing  of  Ffalms  in  publick  JVorf^p.  40 

24.  Of  Lawful  Oaths  and  Vows,  4r 

25.  Of  the  Civil  Magi f  rate,  -  42 

26.  O/'  Marriage,  43 

27.  0/^^^  Church,  44 

F  3  2:8,6;/ 


Q    O     N    T    E    N     T  S. 

28.  Of  the  Communion  of  Saints .  ^3 

29.  Uf  Baptifm  and  the  Lord's  Supper,  •                   ^o 

30.  Of  Baptifm.  _50 

3 1 .  Of  Laying  on  of  Hands,  ^  I 

32.  Of  the  Lord's  Supper.  52 

33.  Of  the  State  of  Man  after  Death^  and  of  the  Refur- 
^  reSiion  of  the  Dead,  r^ 

34.  Of  the  Laji  Judgment,  55 


To 


K  ^  n  K  n  K  ^  K  n  un  n 

To  all  Thofe  into  whofe  Hands 
the  foregoing  Confeflion  of  Faith,  unto 
which  the  following  Abftracl  concerning 
our  Difcipline  is  now  annexed,  fhall 
come. 


OU  R  loft  AJfociation^  met  at  Philadelphia,  Sept. 
25.  1742.  taking  into  Conftderation  the  general  In- 
ter.eft  of  the  Gojpel^  and  efpecially  the  Intereji  of  the 
Churches  they  were  related  unto  and  did  then  reprefenty 
judged  it  expedient  ts  reprint  the  Confellion  of  Faith, 
put  forth  by  the  Elders  and  Brethren  ofupiuards  oj  100 
Congregations  baptized  upon  ProfeJJion  of  Faith  in  Eng- 
land and  Wales,  met  in  London,  Sept.  3.  1689. 
^uith  the  Additions  concerning  Impofition  of  Hands,  and 
Singing  of  Pfalms  in  the  Worfhip  of  God. 

The  AJfociation  likewife  thought  it  proper  to  annex  an 
Abjira^^  or  brief  Treatife  concerning  our  Difcipline^  but 
not  having  (  for  fome  Re af on s)  fixed  on  any  particular 
Piece  extant  J  they  left  it  to  J\dr.  Jenkin  Jones  and  rt:y- 
felfto  prepare  a  Jhort  Narrative^  in  the  mo/i  compendious 
Manner  we  could \  but  Mr.  Jones,  by  reafon  of  his 
other  Avocations^  not  being  able  to  prepare  any  thing  in 
due  Ti?ne^  requejled  me  to  take  it  upon  friyfetf  which^ 
after  we  had  confidted  on  Come  Particulars  (tho'  many  other 
Things  at  this  ^un5lure  requii  ing  tny  Time  and  employijig 
my  Thoughts^  I  could  ivijh  fofne  other  perfn  had  undcr^ 
taken)  I  accepted  that  I  might  prevent  any  Dif appoint^ 

menty 


(  "  ) 

ment^  and  have  endeavoured  to  perform  cs  my  fmall 
Leijure  would  permit.  And  we  having  a  fmall  Tra£l 
publificd  by  Mr.  Elias  Keach,  and  having  afo  found 
a  Al^amfcript  left  by  my  Brother  Abel  Morgan,  dcceajed^ 
ivhich  he  intended  (had  he  longer  lived)  to  have  revifed  and 
put  in  Print  for  the  Benefit  of  our  Churches  ;  /  have 
tranjcrihed fome  Things  out  affaid  Manufcript'^  and ffne 
other  Things  out  of  Mr.  Keach,  fo?ne  Things  tvithout 
Variation^  and  fome  Things  vjith  Variation  ;  Lefides  ivhich 
I  have  in  fome  Cafes  confulted  Dr.  Owen  and  Dr.  Good- 
win, and  infoTm  Things  1  have  folloivcd  ihe  Agreement  that 
our  Affociation  came  to  jome  Tears  ago^  efpecially  concerning 
ihe  Admiffion  and  Difmiffion  of  Me?nbers.  I  hmie  endea- 
ifoured  to  include  the  mofi  material  Things  in  Difipline 
(tho'  very  briefly)  in  the  few  folloimng  Pages  \  and  I  de^ 
fire  the  Readier  may  be  plcafed  to  take  the  p aim  to  peruje  the 
the  Scriptures  referred  ia  in  every  Particular ^  that  the 
Grounds  of  our  PraSiice  may  be  better  underftood. 

That  this  impartial  Account  of  our  Principles  and  Prac- 
tice may  he  accompanied  with  the  B I  effing  of  God,  to  be 
benefcial  unto  Men^  is  the  hearty  Prayer  of 

Youi  well-wiflier, 

and  Servant, 

in  all  Gofpel-Scrvice, 

B  E  N  J  A.   Griffith^ 


A     SHORT 


(     3     ) 


A    SHORT 

TREATISE,     6-c. 

Concerning  a  true  and  orderly  Gospel  Church. 


BEFORE  there  can  be  any  orderly  Difcipllne 
among  a  chriftian  Affembiy,  they  muft  be  or- 
derly conftuuted  into  a  Church-State,  according  to 
the  Inftitution  of  Chrift  in  the  Gofpel. 

1.  A  vifible  Gofpel  Church  is  made  by  gathering 
divers  feled  Perfons  unto  Jefus  Chrift,  in  a  Spiritu- 
al Body,  and  Relation  to  him  as  their  political  Head, 
Ezek.  34.  II.  2  ThiJ,  2.  I.  hinifelf  being  the 
great  Shepherd,  that  firft  feeks  them,  and  prepares 
them  by  the  Work  of  renewing  Grace,  for  fuch  fpi- 
litual    Building. 

2.  Chrift  as  the  Mediator  of  the  new  Covenant, 
ordereth  the  everlafting  Gofpel  to  be  preached^  and 
accompanying  it  v/ith  his  holy  Spirit,  bkileth  it  to 
the  turning  of  Men  fron-;  Darknefs  to  Light,  work- 
ing Faith  and  Love  in  them  Ephef.  2.  37.  AS^s, 
26.    18. 

3.  When  Sinners  are  thus  wrought  upon  efFec- 
tually,  to  fuch  a  fuitable  Number,  as  may  be  an  ef- 
fential  Church,  /.  e.  fo  many  as  may  act  properly 
and  orderly  as  a  Church,  Matth.  18.  15. — 17.  that 
then  it  will  be  proper  for  them  by  their  mutual  coa- 
fent,  to  propofe  to  bfe' conflituted  a  Chufc-hj  or  that 

others 


4  A  Short  Trcatife, 

others  feeing  the  Expediency  thereof  may  encourage 

the  fame.  J^s    ii. 

4.  For  the  Accomplifhment  of  fo  glorious  a  Work, 
it  is  neceflary  that  a  Day  of  Fafting  and  Prayer  be 
appointed  by  and  among  fuch  Believers,  and  that 
fuch  procure  fuch  neighbouring  Helps  as  .they  can, 
efpecially  of  the   Miniftrj.      JSfs  8.    14.     I    TJjeJf, 

5.  The  Perfons  being  firft  orderly  Baptized,  ac- 
cording to  the  Command  of  Chn^  in  Mat.  28.  19. 
and  being  all  fatisfied  of  the  Graces  and  Qualifications 
of  each  other,  and  being  willing  in  the  Fear  of  God 
to  take  the  Laws  of  Chrift  upon  them,  and  do  by 
one  mutual  Confent  give  up  themfelves  to  the  Lord, 
and  to  one  another  in  the  Lord,  2  Cor  8.  5.  folemn- 
ly  fubmitting  to  the  Government  of  Chrift  in  his 
Church,  and  being  united,  they  are  to  be  declared 
a  Gofpel-Church  "of  Jefus  Chrift,  Phil.  2.  2,  3,  4. 
Rom.   15.   7.  Chap.    12.    i.  Ac^ts  2.  41,  42/ 

6.  A  Number  of  Believers  thus  united  under  Chrift 
their  myftical  Head,  are  become  a  Church  eflential  ; 
and  as  fuch  is  thcflrft  and  proper  Subje<£l  of  the  Keys, 
and  have  Power  and  Privilege  to  govern  therafelves, 
and  to  choofe  out  their  own  miniiterial  OiHcers.  Aufs 
14.   23.   Chap.  6.   3. 

Conccrnifig  M  i  Ni  s   T   E  RS.   i^c 

AC  H  U  R  C  H  thus  conftituted,  is  not  yet 
compleated,  while  wanting  fuch  miniilerial 
Helps,  as  Chrift  hath  appointed  for  its  Growth  and 
well  being;  and  wanting  Elders  and  Deacons  to 
officiate  among  them.  Men,  they  muft  be,  that  are 
qualified  for  the  Work;  their  Qualifications  are 
plainly  and  fully  fct  down  in   holy  Scripture,  i  Tim. 

3- 


of  Church-Difclpllne.  5 

o.   2 7.  Tit.  4.  5 — 10.  all  which  muft  be  found  in 

them,  in  Ibme  good  Degree,  and  it  is  the  Duty  of 
the  Church  to  try  the  Perfons,  by  the  Rule  of  the 
Word. 

Objection,  But  what  fhall  a  Church  do,  in  cafe 
they  can  have  none  among  them  fit  to  bear  Office 
according  to  the  Rule  of  the   Word  ? 

Anj'vu,  (i.)  That  to  expe6l  to  have  Officers  per- 
fe«£t  in  the  higheft  Degrees  of  thofe  Qualifications, 
were  to  expert  apoftolical  and  extraordinary  ceafed 
Gifts  in  ordinary  Times.  (2.)  If  none  among  the 
Members  of  a  Church  be  found  fit  in  fome  x\4eafure 
for  the  Miniftry,  a  neighbouring  Church  may  and 
ought,  if  poffible,  to  fupply  them.  Cant,  8.  8.  (3.) 
Let  fuch  as  they  have,  if  they  have  any  that  feeni 
hopeful,  be  a  while  upon  Tryal ;  and  the  Perfon  that 
the  Lord  fhall  chufe,  will  fiourifti  in  fome  good 
Mcafure  with  Aaron  ^  Rod  among  the  Rods  of  the 
Tribes. 

2.  A  Church  being  deftitute  of  minifterial  Helps,, 
may,  after  mature  and  often  deliberate  Confulration, 
and  ferious  Prayers  to  God,  pitch  upon  fome  Perfon 
or  Perfons  in  particular,  giving  him  or  them  a 
folemn  Invitation  to  the  Work  of  the  Miniftry  upon 
Tryal ;  and  if  fuch  accept  of  the  Church's  Call, 
let  fuch  be  upon  Tryal,  to  fee  if  fuch  fear  God, 
make  Godlinefs  their  Bufinefs,  and  be  addided  to 
the  Work  of  the  Miniftry,  feeking  to  further  the 
Interefl  of  Chrift,  and  the  Edification  of  his  People 
in  found  and  whofefome  Doctrine  ;  and  to  fee  if  any 
Vices  or  Immorality  appear  in  their  Advances,  i  Cor, 
16.  Phil,  2.  20,  21.  Read  the  Qualifications  in 
I  Tim,  3.  And  in  cafe  a  Church  fhould  call  a  Per- 
fon to  be  their  Minifter,  who  is  a  member  of  fome 
Sifter-Church,  and  he  accept  their  Call  to  be  their 
Minifter,  he  muft  in  the  firft  Place  give  himfelf  a 
Member  with  the  Church  fo  calling  him,  that  fo 
they  may  chufe  him  among  themfelves  as  A^s  6.  3. 

After 


0  A  ffiori  Treauji 

After  having  taken  all  due  Care  tc^  chufe  One 
for  the  Work  of  tt>e  Miniftry,  they  are  by  and  with 
the  unanimous  Confent  or  JSuHVage  of  the  Church, 
to  proceed  to  his  Ordination;  which  is  a  folcnia 
Setting-apart  of.fuch  a  Peifoii  for  the  facred  Function 
(in  this  wife)  By  fetring  apart  a  Day  of  Failing  and 
Prayer,  Atli  13.  2,  3,  the  whole  Church  being 
preient,  he  is  to  have  the  Hands  of  the  Prefb^tery  of 
that  Church  (or  of  neighbouring  Elders  called  and 
authorifed  by  that  Church  )  whereof  fuch  a  Perfon 
is  a  Member,  folemnly  laid  upon  him,  i  T'hn,  5.  22. 
Tit.  I.  5.  A^s  14.  23.  1  Tim.  4.  14.  and  thus 
luch  a  Perfon  is  to  be  reconnnended  into  the  Work 
of  the  Lord,  and  to  take  particular  Care  of  the  Fiock 
of  whom  he  is  thus  chofen,   Acis  20.   28. 

4.  The  Miniuer  being  thus  put  upon  his  Work, 
proceeds  (i)  to  preach  the  Word  of  God  unto  them, 
thereby  to  feed  the  Flock,  and  therein  ought  to  be 
faithful  and  laborious,  {|-udying  to  (how  himfelfyii 
Workman  that  needeth  not  to  be  afliamed,  righ«y 
dIviJin.g  the  Word  of  Truth,  2  Tim^  2.  15.  as  he  is 
a  Steward  of  God  in  the  Pvlyfteries  of  the  Gofpcl,  i 
Cor.  4.  I,  2.  and  therefore  ought  to  be  a  Man  of 
good  Undei'ilaiiJing  and  Experience,  being  found  in 
the  Faith,  not  a  Novice,  or  a  double-minded  unlia- 
ble Man,  nor  fuch  as  is  light-fpirited  or  of  a  fliallow 
UndcrRantiing,  but  one  that  is  Learned  in  the  IVIy- 
fleries  of  the  Kingdom,  becaufe  he  is  to  feed  the 
People  with  Knowledge  and  Underftanding,  ^fer.  3. 
l^r^tjt^  muft  be  faithful  in  declaring  the  whole  Coun- 
i'cl  ofQod,  yf/i/j  20.  20.  he  is  to  inftrucl  them  in  all 
practical  Godlinefs,  La.ing  before  them  their  mani- 
fold; duties,  and  to  urje  them  upon  their  Confcien- 
ces.  Tit.  2.  I — i^-'  \  Tim.  4,  6.  (2)  he  niuil 
watch  over  thcrn,  -^  that  rr^ufl:  give  an  Account 

10  God,   Heh.    :  ^<:h    mufl  have  an  Eye  upon 

every  Member  they   behave  in  the  floufe 

of  Godj  whe;.  ce    of  the   Lord   is  moie 

enciinentiy. 


of  Cliurch-Dlfclplmc.  7 

eminently,  and  where  alfo  the  Angels  do  always 
a'. tend  ;  and  alfo  their  Behavour  in  the  Families  they 
belong  to,  and  their  Con verfation  abroad  :  Accord- 
in''-  to  their  Capacities,  they  are- not  to  deep  under 
their  Charge.  (3)  He  is  to  vifit  his,  Flock,  to  knov/ 
their  State,  in  order  to  miniilcr  fuitable  do6trinal 
Relief  unto  them,  and  that  he  may  know  what  Dif- 
orders  there  may  be  among  them,  that  the  Unruly 
may  be  reproved.  Pro.  27.  23.  I  ThcJT.  5.  14,  15. 
(4)  He  is  to  adminiiter  all  the  Ordinances  of  Chriih 
aniongft  them  :  As  Baptifm,  rmd  the  Lord's  Supper, 
••^nd  herein  he  muft  be  careful  to  follow  .the  primitivt: 
Pattern,  thereby  to  hold  forth  the  great  End,  v/here- 
fore  they  were  ordained.  (5)  He  mi'.rt  be  inflant 
with  God,  in  his  Prayers  /or  and  with  them,  as  Op- 
portunity may  ferve.  (6)  He  mud  fliov/  them  a 
good  Example  in  all  refpecls,  in  Converfation,  So- 
briety, Charity,  Faith  and  Purity,  i  Thn.  4.  12. 
behaving  himfelf  impartial  unto  all,  not  preferring 
f%;  Rich  before  the  Poor,  nor  lording  it  over  God's 
I-leiirage,  nor  aftume  greater  Power  than  God  hath 
given  him,  James  2.  4.  i  Tim.  5.   21.    i  Fet  5.  ->,  5. 

Of     Ruling       Elders. 

RULING  Elders  are  fuch  Pcrfons  as  are  en- 
dued with  GiftVto  afTift  the  Paftor  or  Teacher 
in  the  Government  of  the  Church  ;  it  was  as  a  Sta- 
tute in  Ifrael,  Exod.  18.  Deut.  i.  9-13.  The  Works 
of  Teadhing  and  Ruling  belong:  both  to  the  Pailor  • 
but  in  cafe  he  be  unable,  or  the  Work  of  Ruling  tpo 
grqit  for  him,  Xji^  hath  provided  fuch  for  bis  Allift- 
ance,  and  they  iire  called  Ruling  Elders,  i^Tku 
^    •  P^5   I  ^^' '   '  '      ■'      Governtnent:;,  or  he 


8  J  j^)Grt  Trcailfe 

that  ruleth,  Rom.  12.  8.  They  are  qualifit;^  for, 
and  called  unto,  one  Part  of  the  Work  :  And  Ex- 
perience teacheth  us  the  \}{t  and  Benefit  of  fuch 
Rulers  in  the  Church,  in  cafing  the  PaOor  or  Teadi- 
er,  and  keeping  up  the  Honour  of  the  Miniftry. 
Their  QiJ'^ilifications  are  fuch  as  are  requifite  to  Rule, 
as  Knowledge,  Judgment,  Prudence,  Isc.  and  as  to 
the  manner  of  their  Ordination,  it  is  like  Ordination 
unto  other  Offices  in  the  Church,  with*Fafting  and 
Prayer,  with  Impofition  of  Hands.  Their  Office 
only  relateth  to  Rule  and  Order,  in  the  Church  of 
God,  and  doth  not  include  Teaching;  yet  if  the 
Church  findeth  they  have  Gifts  and  Abilities  to  be 
ufeful  m  Teaching,  they  may  be  put  upon  Tryal, 
and  if  approved,  they  may  be  called  and  folemnly 
iet  apart  by  Ordination,  it  being  wholly  a  diitindl 
Office  from  the  former,  which  was  only  to  rule  well, 
and  not  to  labour  in  Word  and  Dodrine. 

-U 

Of     Deacons. 

DEACONS    are  Men  called  forth   by  the 
Church,    to   ferve  in   the  outward    Concerns 
thereof;  whofe  Office  is  to  ferve  Tables.     J6i^   6. 

2 y,  they  are  to  be  entrufted  with  the  Sjtock  of  the 

Church,  out  of  which  Stock  they  are  to  affilt  the 
poor  Members  of  the  Church,  and  to  provide  Bread 
and  Wine  for  the  Lord's  Table,  and  alfo  to  have 
Regard  to  the  Minifter's  Table;  and  moreover  they 
ihould  fee  that  all  the  Members  of  the  Church  do 
contribute  towards  the  proper  Ufes  of  the  Church, 
(that  therefrom  all  neceffary  Occafions  may  be  fup- 
plied)  as  God  hath  given  them,  they  to  the  Poor,  fo 
that  none  be  negleded,  i  Cor,  16.  2.  by  the  faithful 
Difcharge  of   which  Office  they  (hall  purchafe  to 

themielv'cs 


of  Church-Difci^Diine.  9 

themfclves  a  good  Degree  and  great  Boldnefs  in  the 
Fsirh,  I  T'vn,  3.  13.  The  Qualifications  of  thtCe 
OiHcers  are  laid  down  i  Tim.  3.  8 — 13.   A'5ls  6.  2 — 8. 

Of  the  Admijfim  /t/"  Church    Members. 

TH  E  Lord  Jefus  Chrift  hath  committed  the 
Ufe  and  Power  of  the  Keys,  in  Matters  of 
GoverEment,  to  every  vifible  congregational  Church, 
to  be  ufed,  accordirig  to  the  Rules  and  Diredions 
that  he  hath  given  in  his  Word,  in  his  Name  and  to 
his  Glory  :  The  Keys  are  the  Power  of  Chrift,  which 
h?  hath  given  to  every  particular  Congregation,  to 
open  and  (hut  itfelf  by  ;  and  to  do  all  Things  in  order 
to  the  great  Things  propofed,  vi%,  his  Glory  and  his 
People's  fpiritual  Benefit,  in  Peace  and  Purity,  Ifa, 
9,  7.  Chap.  22.  22.  Revel.  3.  7.  Hehr.  3.  6,  Eph.  2. 
19 — 22.    Alatt.  16.  19.    John  20.  23. 

By  Virtue  of  the  Charter  and  Power  aforefaid, 
which  Chrift  hath  given  to  his  Church,  his  fpiritual 
Corporation,  they  are  enabled  to  receive  Members 
in,  and  to  exclude  unworthy  Members  as  Occafion 
may  require,  as  may  appear  by  divers  Exai^ple?, 
R.WU  14.  I.  JHs  2.  41.  I  Cor.  5.  4.  5.  Mat.  iB.  18. 
2  Theff.  2.  6.   14. 

In  this  Cafe,  a  Church  hath  to  do,  either  with 
Non-members,  or  thofe  that  are  Members  of  other 
Churches;  as  to  Non-members  propofing  for  Ad- 
milHon  into  the  Church,  the  Pkftor,  Teacher  and 
Elders  of  the  Church  are  to  be  acquainted  therewith, 
and  the  Body  of  the  Church  alfo,  in  order  that  they 
may  knov/  the'lntent  of  fuch  Perfon  or  Perfons.  A 
c<)!)venient  Meeting  is  nccefTary.  When  the  Church 
is  come  toorether,  and  the  Perfon  propofing  bfing 
prefent, -tjftfter  Prayer  to  God  for  DiretSiion,  the 
G  %  Minifter 


10  A  Jlort  Treat! fe 

Minifter  or  P.ulor  of  the  Church  is  to  put  feveral 
Qiieftions  to  the  Perlbn  propofing.  (j)  Concerning 
the  Ground  and  Rcaibn  of  Kis  Hope,  i  Pet.  3.  15. 
wherein  is  to  be  enquired,  what  Experience  he  hatti 
of  the  manifold  Graces  of  the  holy  Spiiit,  working 
in  him  Repentance  from  dead  Works  as  A^Js  2.  38. 
Heh.  6.  2.  and  Faith  towards  our  Lord  Jefus  Chriil: 
in  whom  alone  is  Salvation  hoped  for,  A6ls  20.  21. 
Philem,  5.  for  without  there  be  fome  good  Grounds, 
in  the  Judgment  of  Charity,  that  fuch  an  one  is  a 
jnew  Cre-iture,  the  Door  of  Admillion  is  not  to  ht 
opened,  for  that  would  be  Abufing  the  Privileges  of 
the  Houic  of  God.  Therefore  all  due  and  regular 
Care,  is  to  be  taken,  PfaL  66.  j6.  A(^5  9.  27. 

Secondly.  V/hat  competency  of  Knowledge,  in 
tlie  principal  Doctrines  of  Faith  and  Order,  fuch 
hath  acquired,  i  Ti?n.  2.  4. — 6.  whether  fuch  Perfon 
])e  well  inllruclcd  in  the  Knowledge  of  God,  in  his 
glorious  Attributes,  in  the  Dodlrine  of  the  Trinity, 
or  one  God  in  three  Perfons,  the  Perfon,  Natures 
and  Offices  of  Chrifl;  the  Nature  of  the  Law;  of 
original  Sin;  of  the  Pollution  of  Man,  by  Rcafcn 
of  Sin,  and  loft  and  undone  Eftate  thereby,  and  of 
his  being  a  Child  of  Wrath  by  Nature;  of  the  Na- 
ture of  the  Redemption  wrought  by  Chriil,  his  Suf- 
ficiency to  fatisfy  Divine  Juftice  ;  of  the  R'rccncili- 
ation  of  Sinners  to  God,  by  the  Death  of  his  Son  ; 
of  our  Sins  being  imputed  to  Chr.ifl,  and  his  Righte- 
oufnefs  imputed  to  us  for  Juftification,  being  received 
by  Faith  alone;  of  the  Refurredlion  of  Chrift's  Bo- 
dy, and  his  Afcenfion  into  Heaven,  and  of  his  com- 
ing thence  the  fecond  Time,  to  judge  the  Q;''^^^  and 
the  Dead  ;  and  of  the  Refurrection  of  the  dead  ijo  ■ 
dies  of  Men,  and  of  the  Eternal  Jud^mejit;  and  or 
fuch  propofing.  Perfon's  Refolution  to  pcrfevere  in 
the  ProfeiTion'of  theic  Truths  unto  the  %M'  Such 
Things  are  needful  to  be  enqui/ed  into,  by  Reaion 
that  too  many  in  "our  Day  do  build  their  Ccnver- 
•  •  {ion 


II 


^  Church-Dir:Iprme. 

fion  upon  their  Conviaions,  and  feme  General 
Notions  of  the  Chriftian  Religion,  when  indeed  they 
are  utter  Strangers  unto,  and  very  ignorant  of  the 
great  My!l:eriei  of  the  Gofpel.  Yet  great  Care  is  to 
be  taken  that  the  Weak  be  not  difcouraged,  for  the 
fmoaking  Flax  is  not  to  be  quenched,  nor  the  bruifed 
Reed  to  be  broken,  but  fuch  ignorant  Perfons  are  ta 
be  taught  by  gentle  lnttru6lions,  and  Means  ought 
to  be  ufed  for  their  Furtherance  in  the  Knowledge  of 
divine  Truths,  Math.  28.  19.  and  where  there  is 
the  Beginnings  of  true  and  faving  Grace  in  the  Heart, 
fuch  will  with  a  fpiritual  Appetite,  receive  the  fm- 
cere  Milk  of  the  Word,  that  they  may  grow  there- 
yby,  i  Fet.  2.  2.  and  a  Church  ought  to  be  careful 
►  not  to  rejc6l  thofe,  whoni  they  judge  to  have  the 
lead  Degree  of  the  Work  of  faving  Grace,  wrought 
in  them,  i^;?w.  14.  r. 

Thirdly.  Enquiry  mull  be  made  whether  fjch  a 
«  Perfon's  Life  and  Converfation  is  anfwerable  to  fuch 
a  Profeflion,  that  hti  be  likely  to  adorn  the  Gof^-^el 
with  a  holy  Converfation,  Tit.  2.  ir  — 15.  Chap.  3. 
8.  This  regular  Carefulnefs  is  an  indifpenfible  Duty 
of  all  regular  Churches,  to  ufe  in  the  Admiilion  of 
Members ;  and  tho'  all  due  Care  be  ufed,  yet  fome 
unfound  and  rotten  Profeflbrs  will  creep  in  unawares, 
and  have  crept  into  the  pureft  Churches,  'Jude  ver.  4. 
I  John  2.  19.  A^s  5.  Acis  20.  29.  30.  Galat.  2.  4. 
and  the  fallibility  of  Churches  in  this  Matter,  is  not 
to  be  urged,  as  an  Argument  or  Ground  to  neglect 
the  Duty  incumbent  on  the  Churches,  according  to 
the  Rule  of  the  Word. 

And  after  fuch  Examination,  theQueftion  is  tobe  put 
to  the  Church,  whether  they  are  all  fatisfied^with  the 
Party's  Confeffion  and  Converfation;  and  if- the  An- 
fwer  be  in  the  Affirmative,  then  the  Pador  oV  Mlni- 
fter  is  to  proceed,  to  afk  the  Party  propofing,  it  he 
be  willingly  refolved  (as  God  fliall  give  Ability)  to 
v/alk  in  a  profelTed  Subjecftion  to  tfis  Commands  and 
G  3  ^•■■'''■'•'r'cns 


12  J  jhrtTreatlf; 

Iriftitutlons  of  Chiift  revealed  in  u;c  Gofpel,  and  to 
give  himfelf  a  Member  of  that  Church  in  particular, 
Rom.  12,  I.  Chap.  15.  7,  8,  9.  2  6V.  8.  5.  ana  to 
continue  in  the  Communion,  Faich,  and  Order  there- 
of, according  to  the  Gofpel-Rules  and  Diredions, 
r.nd  after  the  Perfoa  is  baptifed  according  to  the  In- 
flitution  and  Command  of  Chrift,  and  come  under 
the  Impofition  of  the  Hands  of  the  Elders  of  the 
Church,  according  to  the  Pradice  of  the  Apoftles, 
Jjfs  8.  14—17.  Hehr.  6.  2.  the  Paftor,  M\m{\ti  or 
Elders,  as  prefiding  in  the  Acls  of  the  Church's 
Power,  do  receive  fuch  an  one  into  the  Communion 
snd  Fellovv'fhip  of  that  Church  in  particular.  But 
if  the  Church  is  not  fatisfied  with  the  Pcrfon's  Con-\ 
feffion  or  Converfation,  it  is  proper  (if^the  Objections  1 
be  of  ?.ny  Weight)  to  defer  the  Party's  Admiiliou 
intil  a  more  ample  S^tisfadion  can  be  given,  that  all, 
'•'  pollible,  may  receive  fuch  with  Fieeuom  in  Love,' 
and  fo  as  to  difcharge  all  Gofpel  Duties  towards  him, 
as  may  promote  his  Edification  in  the  Faith,  and  his 
Increafe  in  Grace,  2  Cor.  i.  24.  Chap.  10.  8. 

And  concerning  thofe  that  are  Members  of  Sifier 
Churches,  their  Admii?ion  is  either  tranfient  or  oc- 
cafional  Admifiion  ;  or  when  any  Perfon  is  difmiiTtd 
wholly  from  one  Church,  and  tranfmitted  or  recom- 
mended to  another  Church  of  the  fame  Faith,  Order 
and  Pradice.  (i)  Such  as  are  and  continue  Mem- 
bers of  other  regular  Churches,  may  (where  they  are 
well  known)  be  admitted  into  tranfient  Communion, 
wiihcut  a  Letter  of  Recommendation  from  the  Church 
they  bslona;  unto  :  But  from  thofe  a  Church  hath  no 
Knowledge  of,  a  teftimonivl  Letter  is  neceflary,  that 
a  Church  may  not  be  im.poi'ed  on  by  anv  loofeordif- 
crderly  Perfons.  (2)  Thofe  v/hofe  Refidence  is  re- 
moved, or  Place  of  Abode  is  more  convenient  to  be 
with  another  Congregation  than  that  of  .which  they 
are  Members,  are,  upon  their  Requcft  made  to  the 
Chuic'i  vrhvr€of  iucK  are  Mernbers,  to  be'  difmifTed^ 

and 


<y/ Churcb-DIlcipline.  13 

and  to  have  a  Letter  from  that  Church  they  are  Mem- 
bers ofj.rubfcribecl  by  the  OiTicers  and  Members,  and 
direded  to  the  Church  that  the  Perlbn  is  dirmiUcd 
unto;  whereby  the  Party  is  difcharged  from  his  or 
her  original  lleIal:ion  of  particular  Memberfhip  to 
that  Church,  and  is  transferred  to  the  conilant  Com- 
niunion^  Witch  and  Care  of  the  other  Church  : 
Such  Perfons  are  to  be  received  upon  their  Propofal, 
according  to  the  CredentiRLs  thev  bring;  except  the 
Church  they  apply  unto,  have  a  fpecial  Reafon  to  de- 
fer or  refufe.   - 

As  it  appears  to  be  the  Pradlice  of  Believers,  in 
the  Primitive  Tim.es,  to  give  chemfelves  Members  of 
particular  Churches,  Acls  2.  41.  Chap,  5.  13,  14.  it 
appears  alio  that  in  the  Apoflles  Days,  there  were 
many  diftincl  ai?d  dirtant  p-irticular  Churches,  as 
1  Cor,  1.2.  Gal,  1.2.  I  C;r.  i6.  \,  Phil,  i.  i. 
v^hicli  Churches  are  feveriil  Corporations  of  Men 
piofefling  Repentance  from  dead  Works,  and  Faith 
in  our  Lord  Jeffis  Chrifl:,  and  incorporated  by  mu- 
taal  Confent  (as  before  mentioned)  whofe  End  is  to 
glorify  God  bv  Obedience  to  his  revealed  W^ill,  and 
to  their  own  Edification  in  the  Faith,  and  the  good 
of  others;  fo  it  is  the  Duty  of  Believers  to  give 
themfelves  in  particular  Memberiliip,  in  fuch  a  par- 
ticular Ciiurch  as  fiiall  appear  by  the  Word  of  God 
to  be  Orthodox  in  the  fundamental  Articles  of  the 
Chriilian  Religion,  and  to  pra6^!ce  according  to  the 
.Mind  of  Chriil  declared  in  the  Nev/  Teftament,  in 
all  Gofpel  Inllitutions  and  Worfhip. 

From  wh icn  Confideracions,  it  appears  the  reafoi)- 
ahlc  Duty  of  every  Believer  to  give  himfelf  a  iVl^m- 
ber  to  fuch  ajn  orderly  Church,  as  is  mod  conv.enicjntly 
fituated  (that  is,  meeting  nighefi:  the  Place  of  his'^r 
her  Refidence)  for  which  there  aie  thefe  spnirent 
Reafons.-  (i)'For  Men  to  give  themr^Ives  M-o-.bers 
of  a  dribjit  Church,  when  another  of  the  fame  Faithr 
and  Gofptl-Order  is'nigher,  is  for  fuch  a  Peifcii,  t  j 


14  A  fijort  Treahje 

put  hinifelf  under  a  NecelTity  of  neglecting  the  ordi- 
nary appointed  Meetings  of  that  Church,  whx^rcos 
he  is  Member,  and  whereof  the  particular  Charge  if 
given,  Heh.  lo.  25.  that  he  might  attend  and  wait 
in  the  Uie  of  God's  appointed  Means,  for  his  Edifi- 
cation by  the  Miniftry  of  that  Church.  (2)  Such 
puts  himtelf  under  a  wilful  Neceffity  to  ne2;Ie6l  his 
Duty  of  Care  over,  and  conf^ant  Communion  with 
his  Fellow  Member?,  and  wilfully  deprives  himfelf  of 
their  Care  over  him.  Advice,  chriftian  Converfing, 
and  brotherly  loving  Inftrudbons  and  Counfels,  that 
by  the  Bleiling  of  God  might  increafe  his  Know- 
ledge, Grace  and  'Comfort.  (3)  Such  cannot  be 
afliftant  to  the  Church  in  Difcipline,  Contribution, 
and  the  like  Duties,^  nor  cannot  be  taken  Care  of, 
ajid  be  aflifled  (without  much  unnecefTary  Trouble) 
by  the  Church,  in  cafe  of  Need.  (4)  Such  a  Prac- 
tice tends  dire(Stly  to  the  Confufion  of  Churches,  and 
all  Church  Order,  and  fuits  well  with  the  Humour 
of  ncify,  lifelefs,  loofe,  or  covetous  niggai-dly  Per- 
fons.  (5)  It  is  a  way  that  the  Church  cannot  find 
v/hat  uleful  Talents  fuch  Perfons  may  have,,  to  the 
Benefit  of  the  Body  of  the  Church.  (6)  It  is  cnft- 
ing  great  Contempt  upon  the  nearer  Church,  in  her 
Miniftry  and  Order,  and  the  like. 

And  here  it  is  further  to  be  confidered,  that  as  it 
is  expedient  for  Perfons  to  give  themfelves  Members 
of  fuch  regular  Churches,  with  which  they  may  keep 
the  moft  intimate  Fellowfliip  and  Communion  in  all 
the  Parts  of  Religious  Worihip.  So  it  is  highly  rea- 
fonable  that  they,  that  ^re  Members  of  fuch  regular 
Churches,  where  the  Word;  is  purely  preached,  the 
Ordinance^  of  the  Gofpel  duly  ^dminiflered,  and 
Gofpcl  D-ITcipline  is  impartially  pra(5t:ifed;  fliould  con- 
tinue their  M^mberfhip  with  fuch  Church  ;  altho'  there 
,be  Weaknefb,  Imperfection  and  Frailty,  in  the  particu- 
lar pra6iical  A-fts  thereof;  which  while  the  Affairs  of 
the  Church  are  managed  by   Men,  even  their  holy 

7'hings 


of  Churcfh-Dlfcipllne.  15 

Things  will  have  Iniquity  a?  of  olti,  E:<^d.  28.  38.  it  is 
therefore  unrcTlbnabie  ro  difmirs  any  Membe.,  from 
«i  Church  that  is  near  to  2.\\^  one's  RcTidence,  to  a 
Church  more  remote,  upon  Dliguft  taken  at  the  Ma- 
nagement of  {omt  particular  Cafe,  wherewith  fuch 
is  not  well  pleafed,  and  for  fuch  Caufe  demands  Dif- 
miffion  J  and  it  is  unreafonaVie  aho  to  grant  a  Dif- 
miffion  to  fuch  a  Meniber,  v/ho  fliould  demand  a 
DifmiiTion  in  peremptory  Manner,  without  giving  a 
lleafon  for  fuch  a  Demand ;  in  either  of  which 
Cafes,  fuch  a  DifmilTion  is  not  to  be  granted.  (1) 
Becaufe  by  fo  doing  the  greatefl  Confufion  would  be 
introduced  :  For  one  Member  would,  thus  be  dif- 
iTiiiTcd  to  onciiiftant  Church,  and  another  to  another 
-diiiant  Church,  and  the  other  Churches  doing  the 
lik«5  it  can  end  in  nothing  lefs  than  the  Confufion  of 
every  Church.  (2)  The  fame  Liberty  that  Mem- 
bers have.  Pallors,  Miniflers,- ruling  Elders,  and  Dea- 
cons have  alfo,  whereby  any  Church  may  difmifsher 
Members  until  ihe  is  unable  to  maintain  Worfhip 
and  CoiTimun ion  :  For  thofe  that  refide  near,  are  bf- 
cor.e  Members  of  a  remote  Body,  and  fo  uncon- 
cerned ;  and  thofe  that  are  Members  live  remote  and 
fo  under  an  imponibiiity  to  occupy  their  Place.  (3) 
This  iij  the  Tendency  of  il",  is  to  remove  the  Bounds 
of  Churches,  which  is  to  conful  of  fuch  Members, 
as  can,  with  the  utmoil  Conveniency,  meet  together 
in  one  Place,  for  both  Worfhip  and  Government, 
I  Cor.  II.  20.  Chap.  14.33.  (4)  Thij  hath  a  Ten- 
dency to  alter  the  Conftitution  of  particular  Churches, 
fioni  being  congregational  Corporations,  into  the 
national  or  univerfal  Notion  of  the  Church  ;  wbich\ 
univerfal  Church  v/e  believe  to  be  the  myfticiil  Body 
ot  Jcfus  Chrif;:,  which  as  fuch  is  not  the  Seat  of  in- 
ftituted  Worlhip  and  Ordinances.  Alfo  it  is  not  rea- 
fonable  to  difmifs  to  the  World  zi  large,  nor  to  dif- 
mifs  a  Member  to  a  Church,  v/i'th  which  the 
Cnurch  diiminin::,  cannot;  hold  Com;iiunion4 

Of 


(     i6     ) 

Of  the  Duties  .j/' Ch  urch-Membe  rs. 

TH  E  Members  of  Churches,  o;ve  all  their 
Duties  in  a  Way  of  Obedience  to  the  Will  of 
God  revealed  in  his  Word  ;  and  their  Duties  are  to  be 
performed,  in  Love  to  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrifl,  John 
14.  15.  who  is  the  great  Prophet,  Prieft  and  King 
of  his  Church,  which  he  hath  purchafed  with  his 
own  Blood,  Jas  20.  28.  Rev.  i.  5.  2  Cor,  5.  15 
unto  whom  all  Power  in  Heaven  and  Earth  is  given. 
Math.  28  iS.  and  is  therefore  our  Lord  and  Law- 
giver, Jfai.  33.  22.  Vv'ho  alone  is  head  of  his  Church, 
Ephef,  I.  22.  his  Perfon  is  to  be  honoured,  and  all 
his  Commands  are  to  be  obferved  Heb.  i.  2.  John  5. 
23.  all  Worfliip  is  to  be  afcribed  unto  him,  as  God 
bleffed  for  ever,  Rom.  9.  5.  all  Church  Members, 
therefore,  are  under  the  ftrideft  Obligations  to  do 
and  obferve  whatfoever  Chrift  enjoineth  on  them,  as 
mutual  Duties  towards  one  another. 

The  Officers  of  the  Church,  whom  Chrift  hath 
appointed,  are  to  be  refpe6^ed.  .(i)  The  Deacolis  of 
the  Church  (tho'  they  ofiiciate  but  in  the  outward 
Concerns  of  the  Church,  as  in  the  Sedion  about 
Deacons  is  noted)  if  they  are  faithful,  do  purchale 
unto  themfelves  a  good.Degree,  i  Ti7n.  3.  13.  are 
therefore  to  be  refpec^ed.  (2)  Ruling  Elders  alfo 
are  to  be  refpecSled,  feeing  they  are  fitted  of  God,  and 
called  by  the  Church  to  go  before  the  Church,  or  to 
prefide  in  A6ls  of  Government  and  Rule,  i  Tim.  5. 
17.  (3)  Minifters,  who  are  the  Stewards  of  the 
Myfteries  of  the  Gofpel,  are  in  an  eminent  Manner  to 
be  regarded,  as  being  the  Ambaffadors  of  Peace, 
2  Cor.  5.  2C.  tho'  they  are  not  JjQ  hunt  for  it,  as  the 
Fharifees    of  old,  Math.  23.  5,  6,  7.  The   Duties 

1'  of 


of  Ghurch-DIfcipline.  17 

of  Church   Members,  tow^irds  their  Elders,  Teach- 
ers,  Minifters  and  Paftors,   may  be  included  in  their 
(i)  Praying  for  them,  that   GoJ  would  open  a  Door 
of  Utterance  unto  them,  to  unfold   the    Myfteries, 
Eph^  6.    18,    19,    20.      (2)   To  obey  them  in   the 
Lord,  in  whatfoever  they  admonifli  them,  according 
to  the  Word  of  God,  Heb.  13.  17,  22.     (3)   In  fol- 
lowing their  Example  and  Footfteps,  as   tar  as  v/ar- 
ranted    by  the   Word,  i  Cor.    4.    16.    Chap.    11.  i. 
Fhll.   3.   17.   Heh.   13.   7.      (4)  In  (landing  by  them, 
in  all  their  Tryals  and  Afflictions,  an«i  in  defending 
them  in  all  good  Caufes,  as  far  as   in  them  lies;  in 
2  Thn,  I.  15.  thofe  of  Afia  are  blamed,  for   turning 
away,  or  not  {landing  by   the  Apoftle.     (5)  In  not 
expoiing  their  Perfons  for  their  Infirmities,  as  far  as 
may   be,    confidering   the   Profperity   of  the   Gofpel 
much   depends   on   their  good    Report,  A£^s   23.   5. 
(6)  In  contributing  towards  their  Maintenance,  that 
they  may  attend  wholly  on  Teaching,  and  give  them- 
fcWes  to  the  Miniilry   of  the   Word   and  to  Prayer, 
Atls  6.  4.   the  Reafon  thereof  is  evident,  by  a  three- 
fold Law.     (i)  The  Law  of  Nature,  from  whence 
the  Apoftle  argues,  i  Cor.  9.   7 — 11.     (2)  The  Le- 
vitical  Law,  i  Cor.  9.  13.     (3)  The  Gofpel  enjoin- 
eth  and   requireth  the  fame.  Gal.  6.  6.    i  Cor,  9.  14, 
Let  thefe  above-cited  Places  of  Scripture  bc^  coniider- 
ed^  with   many  other  of  like  Importance,  and  the 
"Nature  and  Tendency  of  the  Work  of  the  A4iniftry 
be  well  weighed,  and  it  will  be  clear  that  it  is  a  Duty 
required  of  God  himfelf ;  and  that  not  in  a  Way  of 
Alms,   as  to  the  Poor,  which  is  another  (landing  Or- 
dinance of  Chrifl,  but  is  to  be  performed  in  Love  to 
Chrid,  and  Obedience  to  his  Laws,   in  order  to  fup- 
port  and  carry  the  Intereft  of  the  Gofpel.     Yet  this 
is  not  to  be  given  to  any  one  that  may  pretend  to  be 
a'Miniftsr,  or  thruft  himfelf  upon  a  Church,  or  to 
fuch  as  run  without  a  Miilion  for  filthy  Lucres  fake- 
but  Churches  ought  to  take  a  fpccial  Care  who  to 

call 


3  8  J  fiori  Treatife 

call  forLh  to  the  V\~ork  of  the  Miniflry,  according  to 
the  Rule  of  Inftrudion  given  by  Infpiration  of  God, 
be  they  leai'neJ  or  unlearned  as  to  human  LearniPxf^, 
be  they  Rich  or  Poor,  as  to  worldly  Wealth. 

TheLiberallty  of  the  Pec. pic  (if  they  be  able)  fiioujd 
furmount  the  Neceility  of  the  Minifter,  fo  as  that  he. 
may  exercife  thofe  Ach  of  Love  and  Hbfpitality,  a-s 
is  required  of  fuch,  that,  therein  he  may  be  exempl^rv 
in  good  Works,  ^c.  Moreover  it  is  a  Difty  on  all 
thofe  that  attend  on  their  Miniftry,  to  aiTift  herein, 
GaL  6.  6.  and  as  People  do  four,  fo  fhall  they  reap. 
Gal.  6.  7,  and  t.  vide  Confeffion  of  Faith.,  Chap,  26. 
§.  10.  When  People  neglect  their  Duty  towards 
their  Pvliniflers,  fuch  Minifters  mufb  of  Neceffity 
neolecl  their  Studies,  and  betake  to  other  fecular 
Employments  to  fupport  themfelves  and  Families,- 
or  be  vvojfe  than  Infidels;  then  fuch  People  mull  be 
great  fpiritual  Lofers  in  their  Edification  :  Yet  when 
?nd  VvThere  a  Church  is  not  able  to  raife  a  comfortable 
Maintenance  for  to  fupport  their  Miniiler,  there  it  is 
jiot  only  lawful,  but  the  Duty  of  fuch  Minifters  to 
labour  with  their  Hands  :  For  to  leave  fuch  a  Con- 
o-regation  dcilitute,  to  languiffl  without  the  Miniftry, 
would  be  very  ur.cha**itable,  and  fmelj  very  much  of 
nlthy  Lucre ;  and  to  expert  from  a  People,  more 
than  they    are  able,  would  be  Oppreffion  or  Extor- 

Of  the   tnafufld  Duties    cf   Christians, 
efpectally  to  the   H  o  u  s  H  o  L  D  ef  F  a  i  t  h. 

SO  ME  of  them   are  thefe.    (i)  Love  unfeigned 
and  without  Diffimulation,^  for  all  tlidir  Things 
ought  to  be  done  in  Love,  Jofm  13.    34,  35,  i^u^w. 


ff/ Church-Dircipline.  J 9 

II.  9,  10.  Ch^p.  13.  H,  9,  10.  (2)  To  labour 
to  keep  the  Unity  of  the  Spirit  in  the  Bond  of  Peace, 
Ephef.  4.  3.  (3)  Endeavour  for  the  Edification, 
and  fpiiitual  Benefit  of  the  whole  Body,  that  they 
all  may  grow  up  to  be  a  holy  Temple  in  and  for  the 
Lord  1  Csr.  14.  12,  26.  Ephef  4.  12,  29.  Chap, 
2,  21,  22.  (4)  That  they  all  watch  over  one  a- 
nother  for  Good,  Phil.  2.  3,  4.  (5)  That  they  df> 
pray  with  and  for  one  another,  'James  5.  16.  (6) 
That  they  neglect  not  the  Afiembling  of  themfelves 
together,  for  the  celebrating  of  divine  Worfliip,  and 
fo  promote  one  anothers  fpiritual  Benefit,  Heh.  10. 
25.  ASis  2.  42.  (7)  That  they  ufe  all  Means  to  keep 
the  Houfe  of  God  in  due  Order  and  Cleannefs,  walk- 
ing unoffenfive  towards  one  another,  and  all  others, 
with  confcientious  Diligence,  and  fo  unarrtmoufly  \.o 
contend  for  the  Faith  and  Truth  once  delivered  to 
the  Saints,  in  the  Purity  thereof,  aQ^cording  to  the 
holy  Scripture,  Pfal,  93.  5.  Zech,  14.  20.  21.  i  Cor. 
14.   33.  40.    Chcp,  II.  2. 

Of      Church       Censures. 

HAVING  fpoken  of  the  gathering  together 
of  a  particular  Gofpel  Church,  and  its  Of- 
hcers,  and  the  Rules  whereby  we  are  to  be  guided  in; 
choofmg  and  ordaining  of  them,  and  of  the  Ad- 
miflion  of  Members,  ^c,  it  is  meet  to  give  a  fhort 
View  of  a  Church's  Duties  and  Authority,  in  refpecSt 
of  Cenfures  upon  Offenders. 

Firjl^  of  Admonition, 
(i)  Admonition  is  a  holy,  tender  and  w'ife  Endea- 
vour, to  convince  a   Brother,  that  hath  offended  ia 
Matter  of  Fadl,  or  elfe  is  fallen  into  a  way,  whereitt 
to  continue  is  like  to  be  prejudicial  to  the  Party  him- 
H  teif 


20  A  Jijjrt  I'rcatije 

Iclf  or  fome  ethers;  where  the  Matter,  whirtever  it 
be,  and  the  Sinfulnefs  thereof,- with  the  ag-oravatiri'^i^ 
Cifcumfcanccs  attending  it,  is  to  be  charged  on  his 
Conicicnce,  in  the  Sig;ht  of  God,  w.ith  due-Applica-^ 
tion  of  the  Word  of  God,  which  concerns  his  Con- 
dition ;  thereby  leading  him  to  liis  Duty  and  true  Pre- 
formation. (2)  Admonition  is  private  by  one  or 
more  of  the  Brethren,  or  more  Publick  by  the  whole 
Church.  (1)  When  one  Brother  trelpailcs  againft 
another,  the  offended  Brother  is  not  to  divulge  the 
Offence,  but  to  go  in  a  gofpe!  Way  to  the  Offender, 
2nd  to  life  his  Endeavour  to  reclaim  his  Brother  j  «'ind 
if  he  repents,  the  oirended  Brother  ought'to  forfi;ivc 
him,  Math.  18.  l^,  Ln^e  1,7.  3.  but  if  the  offending 
Brother  v/ill  not  hear,  then  the  ofFendrd  Brother 
ought  to  tjikc  two  or  three  other  Brethren,  .and  them 
fuch  as  may  be  molt  likely  to  gain  upon  ths  Offender ; 
but  if  this  Admonition  alfo  takes  no  f^ffe^t,  it  is  to 
be  brought  before  the  Church,  Math,  18.  16,  17. 
(2)  The  Church  when  Matters  come  thus  before 
them,  fliall  admonifb  and  endeavour  to  reclaim  the 
Ofrender,  in  the  Spirit  of  Mteknefs;  and  if  the  Bro- 
ther that  offended  continues  obifinate  and  im.penitenf, 
the  Church  is  directed  to  exclude  him,  Math.  18.  17. 
(i)  From  whence  it  follows,  €very  Church-Mem- 
ber has  fomewhat  to  do  in  his  Place,  Heb.  12.  1$. 
(2)  In  cafe  of  private  Offences  it  is  prepoiferous  to 
publifli  them,  or  acquaint  the  Church  or  the  Elders 
thereof  therewith,  before  the  two  lower  Degrees  of 
Admonition  are  duly  accompiiflied,  and  the  Offender 
has  neglected  to  hear.  (3)  That  when  Matters  are 
thus  regularly  brought  to  the  Church,  then  private 
Proceedings  may  ceafe.  (4)  That  when  piivate  Of- 
fences are  brought  to  the  Church  without  fuch  pro- 
per private  Procecdure,  that  the  Church  may  and 
ought  to  refufe  it,  as  not  coming  according  to  Gof- 
pel-Rule  aforefaid,  in  Math,  18.  (5)  But  v/hen 
Ihofe  Things  that  begin  in  private  are  thus  regularly 

brought 


of  Cnurc 


:h-Diiciplinc. 


brought  into  the  Church,  they  rnuft  be  received  '^uvi 
adjudged  according  to  the  laid  Rule,  Mat.  j8.  So 
that  it  may  nnd  doth  oftentimes  fall  out,  that  thcfe 
Things  th3t  beojin  v.Mth  private  Admor>ition,  do  end 
in  publick  Kxcoinmunication. 

Secondly ^  cf  Sufpenfion. 
(i)  A  Sufpenfion  may  be,  when  the  Church  ii; 
,  informed  that  a  Member  hath  a(^cd  arelfs,  either  in 
Matters  of  Faith  or  Pradice,  and  not  having  fatis- 
faflory  Proof  whether  the  Information  is  tiite  or 
falfe,  and  the  Cafe  requiring  Time  to  enquire  there- 
in,  it  is  expedient  to  fufpend  fuch  a  Perfon  from  Com- 
munion at  the  Lord's  Table,  until  theEideri;  of  thf; 
Church  can  make  fuitable  Enquiry;  as  might  be  lig- 
nified  by  the  Lav/  in  the  Cafe  cf  Leprofy,  Leii>  J.v^'^ 
and  14th  chapters. 

(2)  Sufpenlion  is  rather  to' be  looked  upon   to   be, 
'  when  a  Church  doth  debar  a  Member  from  Commu- 
nion for  feme  Irregularity  that  he  may   be  guilty  of, 
which  yet  doth  not  aniountTo  high  as  to  be  ripe  fpr 
the  great  Sentence  of  Excommunication ;  but   that 
the  Perfon  (for  fuch  Irregularity)  ought  to  be  debar- 
td  of  the  Privilege  of  fpecial   Communion    and   Ex- 
crcife  of  Oiiice,  in  order  to  his  Humiliation,   2  Thejf. 
3.  6,  7,  10,  II,  14,  15.  fuch  is  not  to  be  accounted 
■  as  an    Entmy,  but   to  be  exhorted   as   a   Brother  in 
J  Union  tho'  not  in  Communion  ;  but  if  fuch  an  one 
^remain  impenitent  and  incoirigible,  the  Church   (af- 
'.  ,fer  due  waiting  for  his  Reformation)  is  to  proceed  to 
c  Excommunication,  Math.  i8.  17.  for  that  would   be 
a  not  hearing  the  Church  in  the  highcli  Degree. 
llnrdly^  of  ExconuTiunication. 
Excommunication  is  a  judicial  AcSt  or   Cenfure  of 
tlie  Church,  upon  an  Ofl-'ender,  by  the  Authority  of 
Tefus  Chrifi-,  and  by  his    Dirediion,   delivered.to  his 
Church    by    himfelf  or   his    Apoltles,    iti   thcNcw 
'Feftament,  which  a  Gofpel-Church  ought  to' pUt.in 
''/^cl:icc.   v.'hen  Matters  of  Eadl  lequiix-,  accojtdirig 

H     2  %5 


22  A  ^hart  Treat^fe. 

to  gofpei  Rule ;  as  firll,  when  a  Member  (urier  al/ 
due  Admonition)  continues  obftinate,  and  v/ill  hear 
Jio  Reproof,  /^^^  i8.  17.  Secondly,  When  a  Mem- 
ber hath  commiLted  a  grofs  Sin,  which  is  diredUy 
againft  the  moral  Law,  and  being  notorious  and  fcan- 
dalous,  and  proved  beyond  Difpute,  i  Cor,  5.  4,  5. 
I  Tim.  5.  24.  2  Cor.  10.  6.  then  a  Church  is  im- 
"mediately  to  proceed  unto  Cenfure  (notwithftanding 
any  preient  Signs  of  Conviaion  or  Remorfe)  for  the 
necelFary  Vindication  of  the  Glory  of  God,  the  Vin- 
dication of  the  Church  slfo,  and  their  holy  Pro- 
feffion  :  And  to  manifefl  their  juil  Indignation  and 
A^bhorrence  againft  fuch  Wickednefs,  i  Ccr.  5.  i  — 
13.  Thirdly^  When  a  Member  is  found  to  be  erro- 
neous, defective,  or  heretical  in  feme  fundamental 
Point,  or  to  fv/erve  from  the  right  Faith,  in  the  Prin- 
ciples of  the  Chriftian  Religion,   i  Tim.  i.  19,  20. 

The  Manner  of  Proceeding  unto  this  great  and 
awful  inftituted  Ordinance,  is:  The  Church  being 
gathered  together;  the  Offender  alfo  having  Notice 
to  come  to  make  his  Anfwer  and  Defence  (if  he 
comes  not,  he  aggravates  his  Offence  by  defpifmg 
the  Authority  of  Chrifl  in  his  Church)  the  Body  of 
the  Church  is  to  have  Knowledge  of  the  Offender's 
Crime  fully,  and  the  full  Proof  thereof  as  of  plain 
Matter  of  Fa6l ;  and  after  mature  deliberate  Con- 
fideration,  and  confulting  the  Rules  of  Dire6];ion 
given  in  the  VVord  of  God  (whether  the  Offender  be 
prefent  or  abfent)  the  Miniitcr  or  Elder  puts  the 
Q].!eftion  to  the  whole  Church,  Whether  they  judge 
the  Perfon  guilty  of  fuch  Crime  now  proved  upon 
him,  is  worthy  of  the  Cenfure  of  the  Church  for  the 
fame  ?  to  which  the  Members  in  general  give  their 
Judgment;  which  if  it  be  in  the  Affirmative,  then 
the  Judgment  of  the  Members  in  general  being  had, 
or  the  "Majority  of  them,  the  Paftof,  Minitter,  or 
Elder  fums  up  the  Sentence  of  the  Church,  opens 
the  Nature  of  the  Criro-^,  with  the  fuitablenefs  of 

the 


of  Church-Difcipline.  23 

:  Ccniurc,  according  to  Gofpel  Rule ;  and  having 
itiu:,  proceeded,  a  proper  Time  is  fixed  to  put  the 
Sentence  in  Execution,  at  which  Time  the  Paftor, 
Minifter  or  Elder  of  the  Church  (as  iiis  Place  and 
Dutv  requires)  is  to  lay  open  the  Heinoulhcfs  of  fuch 
a  Sin,  v/ith  all  inz  agg^ravating  Circumiiances  there- 
of, and  {jicwing  what  an  abominable  Scatidal  fuch 
an  Offender  is  become  to  Religion,  what  Difhonour 
it  is  to  God,  ^V,  applyirig  the  particular  Places  of 
Scriiiture  that  are  proper  to  the  Cafe^  in  order  to 
charge  the  Offence  horns  upon  the  Confctence  of 
tiie  Offtfnder  if  prefent,  that  others  alfo  may  fear  j 
(liewino:  alio  the  awful  Nature  ot  this  great  Cenfure, 
and  the  main  End  thereof,  for  the  Salvation  and  not 
the  Defcruclion  of  the  Soul,,  and  with  much  So- 
lemnity in  ths  whole  Society,  calling,  upon  God  for 
iiis  gracious  Prefence,  and  his  Bleffuig  upon  this  his 
Sacred  Ordinance;  that  the  great  End  thereof  may' 
be  obtained.  S^ill  expreffing  the  deep  Senfc  the 
Church  hath,  of  the  Fall  of  this  Brother,  with  tiie, 
greu  Humiliation  of  the  Church,  and  great  Sorrov/ 
for,  and  Deteffation  of  the  Sin  committed.  Th-^ 
faid  Pallor,  Minilhr,  or  Elder,  in  the  Name  of  th-^ 
Lord  Jefus  Chrift,  in  the  Prefence  of  the  Congre- 
gation, and  by  and  with  the  Confent  and  accordinc^ 
to  the  judicial  Sentence  of  the  Church,  cuts  off,  and 
fv^cludes  fuch. an  Offender  by  Name,  from  the  Union 
and  Communion  of  the  Church,  becaufe  of  his  Of- 
fences;  So  that  fuch  a  Perfon  is  not  thenceforth  tr> 
he  looked,  on,  deemed  or  accounted  as  a  Brother  or 
Member  of  fuch  a  Church,  until  God  fhali  refcore 
liim  again  by  Repentance. 

Which  Exclufion  carries  in  it  the  full  Senfeof  our 
Lord's  Words,  Mat.  18.  17.  Let  him  be  unto  thee  cs 
an  Heathen  Man  and  a  Publican ;  or  of  the  Apcfile, 
I  Cor.  5.  5.  to  deliver  fuch  an  .cr^e  to  Satan  i,  which 
an  authoritative  putting  of  fuch  a  Perfon  cj^t  of  the 
Communion  of  the  Church,  the  Kiii£;do:n  oflicaven  ^ 
II  3  ^  uii., 


24  J  Jr.ort  Trealtji 

into  the  \SfijM^  the  Kingdom  of  Satan,  the  iM.;co 
of  the  Power  of  th-e  Air,  the  Spirit  that  !«ow  work- 
eth  in  the  Children  of  Difobedience,  in  order  to  hi^^ 
being  humbled  and  broken  under  a  Sight  and  Scnfc 
of  his  Sins,  which  is  meant  by  the  Dertruction  of 
the  FleLh,  and  to  the  Y.\-\A  that  the  SpU-it  may  b-i 
iaved  \n  the  Ti^.y  of  the  Lord. 

Amoiigft  the  many  Diforders  which  Church- Mem- 
bers may  be  guilty  of,  and  for  Ihe  obftinate  Conti- 
nuance therein,  a  Church^  may  and  ought  to  ufe  the 
Power  that  Chrilt  bath  gi^en  to  exclude  them  from 
her  Coniniunion,  that  is'one,  which  is  when  a  Mem- 
ber doth  feclude  himfelF,  and  that  not  in  any  regular 
Way,  but  contrary  to  all  Rule  and  Order :  For  when 
a  Church-Member,  by  rcrifon  of  fome  Of}ence  he 
hath  taken  at  the  Church  or  fon-ie  .of  the  Members 
thereof,  and  hath  not  doiie  his  Duty  according  to 
the  Rule  of  the  Word,  or  effe  is  a  dying  away  in 
Religion,  by  one  Means  or  another,  as  by  the  Love 
of  the  World,  Change  of  Condition  in  Marriage, 
not  having  his  expected  Preferment  in  the  Church, 
or  the  like,  doth  as  it  were  excommunicate  himfelf, 
the  Church  according  to  their  Duty  ought  to  ufc 
their  Endeavours  to  re<:laim  fuch  \  which  Endeavours, 
if  they  prove  fruitlefs,  and  the  Party  obftinate,  the 
Church  ought  not  to  acquiefce  in  his  irregular  De- 
parture from  them,  as  if  all  their  Bonds  of  Relation 
?nd  Duty  were  over,  and  no  more  was  to  be  done, 
feeing  the  Party  hath  ufurped  the  Power  of  the  Keys 
to  himfelf:  The  Church  therefore  muil  maintain  the 
Power  that  Chrift  hath  committed  unto  it,  tho'  it 
'rannot  hinder  the  inordinate  and  unruly  Pailions  of 
fuch  an  one,  if  God  leaves  him  to  it.  -  He  will  run 
away  from  the  Church,  renting  himfelf  fchifmatical- 
jy  oft,  breaking  thro'  all  Order  and  Covenant  Ob- 
ligations, in  Oppofiticn  to  brotherly  Endeavours  to 
hinder  him,  and  to  fi:ay  him  ia  his  PUce  \  the  Church 
is  to  proceed  judicially  to  turn  the  Key  upon   fuch  a 

finfui 


/;/'  Ch'!rc!v-Di!cipllrie.  25 

finAil  (Jifoideily  Dep:irter ;  and  publicity  to  declare, 
that  as  fuch  a;i  one  by  Name  hath  been  guilty  of 
fuch  a  Thing  (teaming  his  Dilbrders)  he  is  no  longer 
in  their  Communion,  nor  under  their  V/atch  and 
Care,  Uc,  a!id  that  fuch  a  Pcfloa  is  not  to  return  to 
their  Communion,  until  he  hath  given  Satisfadion 
to  the  Church,  Rom.  16.  17.  Such  a  Separation  or 
Departure  is  vqry  finful,  for  thefe  and  the  lilce  Ilea- 
fans,  (i)  Becaufe  the  Church  is  a  Corporation  pri- 
vileged with  Laws  and  Rules  for  Admittance  and  Di- 
hiittance,  which  ought  to  be  obferved,  Matt,  18. 
Rom,  12.  4,  5.  (2)  Such  a  Departure- is  rude  and 
indecent,  therefore  difhonourable,  i  Cor.  14.,  4.0. 
{3)  Ej^caufe  if  Members  may  take  this  Liberty,  all 
the  Oincers  of  the  Church,  Miniflers,  Ruling  El- 
ders and  Deacons  may  take  the  (lime  Liberty,  which 
would  food  un-church  any  Church,  or  at  leaft  be 
(leilrui-tive  to  its  Beauty,  Comfort  and  Edification, 
J-yhn  6.  67.  (4)  All  Members  do  covenant  the  con- 
trary, Ijai.  44.  5.  and  therefore  it  is  a  Breach  of 
Covenant,  which  is  a  black  Character,    2  Tirm.  3.  3. 

(5)  It  deftroys  totally   th?   Relation   between  Elders 
and  People,  which  God  hath  ordained,  Matt.  g.  36. 

(6)  It  is  an  Ufurping  of  the  Keys,  or  rather  dealing 
of  them,  Jmos  6.  13.  (7)  It  is  Schifm  :  If  there  is 
fiich  a  Thing  in  the  World,  it  is  of  particular 
Churches,  i  Ccr.  11.  r8.  Cb.  12.  25.  (8)  It  is  a 
high  Contempt  of  Chrift  in  the  Government  of  his 
Cnurch,  Jude  i?>.  19.  1  Pet.  2.  10.  ir.  (9)  It  is 
to  break  the  StafFof  Beauty  [Cove7ia7it]  and  of  Bands 
and  Brotherhood  too,  Zecb.  11.  10,  14.  (10)  It  ar- 
gues either  fome  great  undifcovered  Guilt  lying  on 
the  Party,  or  fome  By-Ends  in  his  tirft  feeking  Ad- 
miffion  into  fuch  a  Church.  All  which  put  together, 
it  declares  the  great  Unity  of  a  congregational  Gof- 
pel-Church,  and  the  Sinfulnefs  of  fuch  diforderly 
Perfons  in  breaking  ofF  without  a  juft  Caufe:  But  if 
aijy  Church  becomes  herciicul  in  Pri[lcl'^^[cs,  or  i<io- 

latrcujT 


■26  A  Jhcrt  Treatife 

lr\ttou5  in  VVorfhip,  or  immoral  in  Life,  it  is  lav/ful 
ibr  Perfons,  after  they  have  difcharged  their  Con- 
fcience  and  Duty  in  Reproving  and  bearing;  WitneTs 
.againfl  fuch  grols  Defe6lic>ns,  to  depart/ 2  6V.  6, 
.17,  18. 

Other  Diforders  and  Caufesof  Difcords  in  Church- 
es are  thefe,  and  many  of  the  like  j  (i)  When  Mem- 
bers  of  ChiLfches,  by  their  Ignorance  of  the  Rules 
ofDlfcipIine  and  right  Govci-nmcnt  of  the  Church 
of  Chrifi,  do  not  av4  according  to  their  Duty  ;  par- 
ticularly when  that  Rule,  j^/t//.  18,  15,.  1.6.  is  not 
obferved  ;  and  that  is.  either  (i.)  When  offended 
Members,  inftead  of  going  to  the  Offender,  to  tell 
liim  his  Fault,  will  be  divulging  it  diforderly  to 
others  whether  Members  or  Nonmembers.  (2) 
When  ofFended  iviembers  inflcad  ofadling  accord in^ 
to  the  faid  Rule,  do  conceal  the  Matter  from  the 
Offender  a.nd  every  body  clfe,  \t2i{^  they,  {hould  be 
looked  upon  as  contentious  Perfons:  and  thereby  they 
fuffer  Sin  upon  their  Brother,  and  are  become  guilt/ 
of  other  Men's  Sins,  and  thereby  they  fuffer  the 
Name  of  God,  their  holy  Profellion,  and  the  Churchi, 
to  lie  under  a  Reproach  by  their  Negle6l ;  either  of 
which  Ways  is  very  iinful,  as  being  contrary  to  the 
exprefs  Rule  given  by  our  Lord  Chrift;  and  fuch 
ought  (as  being,  thereby  become  Offenders  th^m 
i'elves)  to  be  in  a  Gcfpel-Way  dealt  with. 

(2)  When  an  Elder  or  a 'Church  do  know  that 
fome  of  the  Members  are  immoral  and  fcandalous  iu 
Life,  or  heretical  in  Matters  ol  Faith  and  Judgment, 
and  yet  bear  with  them,  or  connive  at  them. 

(3)  When  Members  of  Churches  take  Liberty  to 
go  to  hear  to  other  Places,  when  the  Church  is  affem- 
bled  to  worfhip  God,  vyhich  is  direcSlly  contrary  to 
Heb.  10.  25.  and  is  no  lefs  than  breaking  Covenant 
with  the  Church  they  belong  unto,  and  may  foon 
diffolve  aiid  unchurch  any  particular  Church  j  for, 
by  the  fame  Rule   that  one  Member  takes  fuch   Li.r 

berty. 


of  ChurchrDifcipline.  27 

bcrty,  another  may,  yea,  all  the  Mc;n>beis  may  un- 
till  their  AiTei-nbliniT  entirely  ceafe.  And  moreover 
ir  is  cafting  great  Contempt  on  the  Miniftry  of  fuch 
a  Churchy  and  may  caufe  others  to  be  difaffe(5t:ed  to 
the  Doclrine'  taught  in  fuch,  tho'  found  and  ortho- 
dox. Yet  no  Reiiraint  ought  to  be  laid  on  Members 
going  to  hear  at  other  Places,  where  found  Doctrine 
is  taught,  at  other  Times. 

(4)  When  Members  take  Liberty  to  go  to  hear 
Men  that  are  corrupt  in  Doclrine,  and  lo  fuck  in 
fome  unfound  Notions  of  Religion,  and  endeavour 
to  corrupt  others  with  what  they  have  imbibed  them- 
felves.  And  alas  1  \\6\'7  niany  in  our  unhappy  Days 
are  corrupted  with  Armimanifrri^  Soci'manifm,  and 
what  not  ?  Sucii  caufe  Trouble  and  i^^reat  Difor- 
ders. 

(5)  Another  Diforder  that  may  caufe  Difcord,  is^ 
when  Members  are  received  with  out  the  general  and 
unanimous  Confent  of  the  Church  ;  or  when  any  are 
admitted,  with  whofeConfef!ion  or  Life  and  Conver- 
f^ition,  thi:  Generality  of  the  Members  are  not  fiUif- 
fied  :  Or  when  Eiders  ;ind  Minirtersor  Leaders  of  the 
Church,  are  reinifs  and  carclefo  in  the  Reception  of 
Membcis, 

{^d)  When  a  Church  fnall  receive  a  Charge  againfl: 
a  Member  (it  being  an  Offence  given  by  one  Brother 
to  another  Brotlier)  before  an  orderly  Procedure  has 
been  made  by  the  offended  Brother,  according  to  the 
Rule,   Alattb.    j8. 

(7)  When  Judgment  pafics  with  Partiality,  or 
fome  are  connived  at  out  of  Favour  or  Affection, 
and  others  cenfured  out  of  iinvy  or  without  due  Con- 
viction; Levi  was  not  to  know  his  Father,  Mother  or 
Children  in  Judgment,  Deut.   33.   8. 

(8)  When    the   Charges   of  "a  Church  ar^  not  c- 
I illy  born  by  the  Members  according  to  their  feve- 

•  Abilities^  but  fome  are  buithened  vvhen  others  du~ 
f.^tle  or  nothing,  ^    ^■.-  >»^4- 

(9)'Wh5r|. 


7.8 

(9)  When  Accufations  are  received  againlt  uii 
Elder,  contrary  to  the  Hale,  i  Tim.  5.  16.  which 
requires  two  or  three  Witnefies  as  to  Matter  ol 
Fa(5t. 

(10)  When  any  Member  (hall  divulge  to  Perfons 
not  of  the  Congregation,  nor  concerned  in  thofc 
Matters  what  is  done  in  the  Church -Meetings  :  The 
Church  in  this  refped,  as  well  as  in  others,  is  to  be 
a  Garden  enclofed,  a  Spring  (hut  up,  a  Fountain 
fealed.  Cant,  4.  12.  This  often  occalions  great  Grief 
and  Trouble,  and  therefore  fuch  di forderiy  Perforts 
(liould  he  detected.  Is  it  not  a  bhame  to  any  to  di- 
vulge the  Secreii  of  a  Family  I  but  far  greater  Shame 
do  fuch  Perfons  cxpofe  themfelves  unto. 

(11)  When  Days  of  Prayer,  P'afting  or  Thankf- 
giving^or  Da)s  ofDifciplineappointed  by  theChurch, 
are  not  carefully  obferved  and  kept. 

In  all  thefe  and  many  other  Things  of  like  Nature, 
the  Members  of  particular  Churches,  ought  to  give 
all  Diligence  to  v^alk  worihy  of  their  Vocation,  and 
according  to  the  Rule  and  DircvStion  of  the  Word  of 
God,  that  Diforders  may  be  prcventcJ,  and  that 
Church  Communion  may  be  maintain'd  in  Peace  and 
Purity,  to  the  Edifying  of  the  Body  of  the  Ckkurch  of 
Chriii  in  Lo/e. 


Of  .the   C  O  M  M  U  N  I  O  N    of  C  FI  U  R  C  H  E  S. 

EV  E  R  Y  particular  congregational  Church 
incorporated  by  and  according  to  thelnftitution 
ri  Chrift  in  the  Gofpel,  and  duly  organized  accord- 
ing to  the  Pattern  of  the  primitive  Churches,  hath 
fufficient  Power  fcom  Chrid  to  call  and  ordain  its 
own  Officers;  fo  that  no  Man  or  Set  of  Men  have 
Authority  to  chufe  OiHcers    for  thsm.  or  impofeany 

Officers 


Ofiicers  on  tliem,  without  their  previous  Knowledge 
and  voluntary  Con  fen  t,  A^s  6.  3.  Deacons  are  to  be 
chofen  by  the  Multitude,  Afis  .14.  23.  Elders  were 
ordained  in  every  Church  by  Election  or  Suffrage 
of  the  Church  ;  and  every  particular  Church,  as 
iuch,  afiembled  with  h-er  proper  Elders,  hath  fuffici- 
ent  Power  to  receive  Members,  ASis  2.  41.  Rom. 
14.  7.  And  in  the  Exercile  of  any  Acls  of  Difci- 
pline,  fuch  a  Church  being  convened  with  h-ef  own 
Officers  or  Elders  in  the  Name  of  Chrifl  may  a6^ 
according  to  Gofpel  Rule  in  any  Cafe,  even  to£x- 
communicate  fuch  Members  as  are  foundlo  beobfti- 
nate  in  Difoiders,  or  heretical  in  Principles,  after 
due  Admonition  ;  or  fuch  as  are  guilty  ofgrofs  and 
fcandalous  Immoralities  in  Converiation,  6v.  inde- 
pendent on  any  other  Church-Power  fuperior  to  itfelf, 
or  higher  Judicatory  lodged  in  any  Man  or  any  Set 
of  Men,  by  any  Inftitution  of  Chrift :  And  there- 
fore the  Elders  of  a  Church,  meeting  in  the  Abfence 
of  the  Members,  or  convened  with  the  Elders  of 
other  Churches,  are  not  entrufted  with  a  Power  to 
atSfc  for  a  Church  in  Admiflion  of  Members,  Ordina- 
tion, or  Cenfures,  l^c,  and  it  is  the  Duty  of  fuch  a 
Church  to  admoniili  any  of  her  Members  or  OiHcers, 
t-heir  Teacher  or  Paftor,  Col.  4.  17.  and  exclude 
any  too,  \j\iQx\  their  Crimes  require,  accordino- to 
the  Rule  of  the  Gofpel. 

And  fuch  particular- congregational  Churches 
conftituted  and  organized  acccording  to  the  Mind 
of-Chrift  revealed  in  the.  New  Teftament,  are  all 
equal  in  Power  and  Dignity,  and  we  read  of  no 
Difparity  between  them,  or  Subordination  amono- 
them,  that  fliould  make  a  Difference  between  the 
A6ls  of  their  mutual  Communion,  fo  as  the  A<flsof 
one  Church  fhnuld  be  A6is  of  Authority,  and  the 
Ads  of  others  (hould  be  A<5ls  of  Obedience  or  Sub- 
jection, altho'  they  may  vaftly  differ  in  Gifts,  Abili- 
ties and  Ufefulnefs. 

Such 


30  A  fnoriTreaiife 

Such  particular  diftinil  Churches,  agreeing  in 
Goipel-Dodrine  and  Prat^ice,  may  and  ought  to 
maintain  Communion  together  in  many  Duties,  which 
may  tend  to  the  mutual  Benefit  and  Edification  of  the 
Whole  :  and  thereby  one  Church  that  hath  Plentvof 
Gifts,  may  and  ought,  ifpcflible,  to  fupply  another 
that  lacketh,  Cant^  8.  8.  thfey  may  have  mutual  Giv- 
ing and  Receiving  PhiL  4.  15.  and  mutual  TranHa- 
tion,  Recommendation  or  Difmiilion  of  Members  from 
one  Church  to  another  as  Occafion  may  require.  It 
is  to  be  noted,  that  Perfons  called  to  Office  are  not 
to  be  difmiffed  as.  Officers,  but  as  Members ;  tho' 
atiother  Church  may  call  fuch  to  the  fame  Office 
again. 

By  Virtue  alfo  of  fuch  Commujiicn,  the  Members 
of  one  fuch  Church  may,  where  they  are  known, 
occafionally  partake  at  the  Lord's  Table  with  a  Sift- 
er-Church. Yet  notwithftanding  fuch  Commynioii 
of  Churches,  by  voluntary  Confent  and  Confedera- 
tion the  Officers  of  one  particular  Church  may  not 
Kdi  as  Officers  in  another  Church,  in  any  hOi  of 
Government,  without  a  particular  Call  thereunto 
from  the  other  Church  where  they  occafionally  come. 
It  is  expedient  that  particular  Churches,  confti- 
tuted  in  the  Way  and  Manner,  and  for  the  Ends  de- 
clared in  the  former  Part  of  this  Narrative  (when  they 
are  planted  by  the  Providence  of  God,  fo  as  they  may 
have  Opportunity  and  Advantage  fo  to  do)  filould  by 
their  mutual  Agreement  appoint  proper  Times  and 
Places,,  to  meet  by  their  refpective  Mefiengers  or 
Delegates,  to  confider  af  fuch  Things  as  may  be  for 
the  common  Benefit  of  all  fuch  Churches,  for  their 
Peace,  Prcfperity,  and  mutual  Edification,  and 
what  maybe  for  the  Furtherance  of  the  Gofpel,  and 
the  Inlereft  of  Chriii  in  the  World. 

And  forafmuch  as  it  fallaout  many  times  that  par- 
ticular Churches  have  to  do  with  doubtful  and  difii- 
cult  Matters,  or  Differences  in  Point  of  Do(Slrine  or 

Adminiftration 


of  Church-DIfciplIhe.  %t 

Adminiftration  (like  the  Church  of  Antioch  of  old 
wherein  either  the  Churches  in  general  are  concern- 
ed, or  any  one  Church,  in  their  Peace,  Union  or 
Edification ;  or  any  Member  or  Members  of  a 
Church  are  injured,  in  or  by  any  Proceeding  in  Cen- 
fures  not  agreeable  to  Gofpel-Rule  and  Order ;  it 
is  according  to  the  Mind  of  Chrift,  that  many  Church- 
es holding  Communion  together,  fhould  meet  by 
their  MefTengers  and  Delegates  to  confider  of,  and 
to  give  Advice  in  or  about  fuch  Matters  iw  Difference; 
and  their  Sentiments  to  be  reported  to  all  the  Church- 
es coMerned  :  And  fuch  MefFengers  and  Delegates, 
convened  in  the  Name  of  Chrift,  by  the  voluntary 
Confent  of  the  feveral  Churches  in  fuch  mutual  Com- 
munion, may'declare  and  determine  of  the  Mind  of 
the  Holy  Ghoft,  revealed  in  Scripture,  concerning 
Things  in  Difference ;  and  may  decree  the  Obfer- 
vation  of  Things  that  are  true  and  necelTary,  becaufe 
revealed  and  appointed  in  the  Scripture.  And  the 
Churches  virill  do  well  to  receive,  own  and  obferve 
fuch  Determinations^  on  the  Evidence  and  Autho- 
lity  of  the  Mind  of  the  Holy  Ghoft  in  them,  as  ia 
j£Js  i^.  29.  Yet  fuch  Delegates  thus  afTembled,  are 
not  intrufted  or  armed  with  any  coercive  Power,  or 
any  fuperior  Jurifdiaion  over  the  Churches  concern- 
ed fo  as  to  impofe  their  Determinations  on  them  or 
their  Officers,  under  the  Penalty  of  Excommuni- 
cation, or  the  like.  See  the  ConfeJJion,  Chap.. 7.6,  §, 
14,  15.  See  alfo  Dr.  Owen  on  the  Nature  of  tht^ 
Gofpel  Churchy  chap.   ii.  and  Dr.  Goodwin^  Vol.  4, 

r\^' ^]^'^)  ^'   9»  10,   II,  ^c.  of  thg  Gmrnm^ni 

f  the  Churches  of  ChriJ}. 

THE      END. 


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